Kids are out of school for the summer, and while they are busy having fun, a new study from the University of Michigan suggests what happened to them inside that classroom all year may matter more than we ever realized.
Researchers found the experiences kids have in school, at home, and in their communities could shape whether they develop dementia decades down the road. And we are not just talking about how long they stayed in school.
Think about it this way: kids spend nearly 15,000 hours in K through 12. The study says every one of those hours could be quietly shaping their brain health for the rest of their lives.
The researcher behind this work describes it like a camera with three lenses: Did your child believe in themselves as a learner? Did they have books and support at home? And was their school well resourced?
Together, those three things build what scientists call cognitive reserve—basically, the brain’s ability to keep functioning even as it takes on damage over time.
The bottom line: investing in your kids and their schools is not just an education issue. It may be one of the best things you can do for their brain health for life.
Kimson Johnson, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, joined Local 4 Live to talk more about the study.
You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.