How to help reduce your child’s dementia risk
LATER IN LIFE. THE BRAIN LOVES MASTERY AND LOVES REPETITION. SO IF THERE’S SOMETHING THAT YOUR CHILD, ACADEMIC OR ARTISTIC OR OTHERWISE REALLY ENJOYS, YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY ENCOURAGE IT BECAUSE THAT’S THE BRAIN CRAVING, FORMING MORE CONNECTIONS AND PROTECTING THOSE PARTICULAR ELEMENTS OF THE WAY THE BRAIN IS ORGANIZED. DOCTOR MATTHEW GOLDFINGER SAYS THERE ARE THREE IMPORTANT WAYS WE CAN HELP OUR KIDS IMPROVE THEIR BRAIN HEALTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, STARTING WITH CREATIVITY. ENCOURAGE IT BECAUSE IT IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY IN THE BRAIN. SECOND, HELP THEM FORM CONNECTIONS AND MAKE SURE THEY FEEL SAFE. A SCARED BRAIN DOESN’T LEARN OR REMEMBER AS WELL. AND FINALLY, TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN BRAIN HEALTH. MODELING GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR YOUR KIDS LIKE PRIORITIZING SLEEP, EXERCISE, AND GOOD NUTRITION. THAT REALLY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU THINK. IN OTHER WORDS, DON’T JUST TALK THE TALK. YOU REALLY WANT TO WALK THE WALK
Improving Brain Health: How to help reduce your child’s dementia risk
Mass. doctor says simple steps early in life can make a big difference for our kids.
Updated: 6:34 AM EST Feb 13, 2026
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When it comes to dementia risk, a Massachusetts doctor has some simple steps parents can take now to help their children later in life. And it starts with fueling their brains. “The brain loves mastery and loves repetition,” said Dr. Matthew Goldfinger, a pediatric neurologist at Mass General for Children. “If there’s something that your child, academic or artistic or otherwise, really enjoys, you should absolutely encourage it because that’s the brain craving, forming more connections.”Goldfinger said there are three important ways we can help our kids improve their brain health now and in the future:Creativity. Encourage it because it improves flexibility in the brain. Form connections. It makes them feel safe. A scared brain doesn’t learn or remember as well. Take care of your own brain health. Modeling good behavior for our kids, like prioritizing sleep, exercise and good nutrition, is more important than you think. “It’s important that you actually model a life that protects your brain so that your children will grow up and form those habits really early on,” Goldfinger said.
When it comes to dementia risk, a Massachusetts doctor has some simple steps parents can take now to help their children later in life.
And it starts with fueling their brains.
“The brain loves mastery and loves repetition,” said Dr. Matthew Goldfinger, a pediatric neurologist at Mass General for Children. “If there’s something that your child, academic or artistic or otherwise, really enjoys, you should absolutely encourage it because that’s the brain craving, forming more connections.”
Goldfinger said there are three important ways we can help our kids improve their brain health now and in the future:
- Creativity. Encourage it because it improves flexibility in the brain.
- Form connections. It makes them feel safe. A scared brain doesn’t learn or remember as well.
- Take care of your own brain health. Modeling good behavior for our kids, like prioritizing sleep, exercise and good nutrition, is more important than you think.
“It’s important that you actually model a life that protects your brain so that your children will grow up and form those habits really early on,” Goldfinger said.
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