Little Minds, Big Strength

Why This Matters

Every dream you have for your child—being confident, kind, responsible, and resilient—starts with one thing: a healthy brain.
When the brain is working at its best, children can:

• Plan and think ahead

• Control their impulses

• Learn from mistakes

• Give and receive love fully

When the brain is hurt—through poor habits, injuries, or stress—these abilities become much harder. That’s why one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is teaching them to love and protect their brain.

The Love & Logic Approach

Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Charles Fay’s Love and Logic method blends two powerful ideas:

• Love – Building a strong bond, showing empathy, and understanding your child’s feelings.

• Logic – Teaching responsibility, setting limits, and helping kids think through consequences.

When you combine love with logic, you create children who feel secure and can handle life’s challenges.

Parent Wisdom to Live By

“Hope and pray that your children make plenty of affordable mistakes while they are young. These small stumbles help them build mental strength and develop a clear sense of cause and effect—long before the price tags become matters of life and death.”

Let your kids learn lessons now, when the cost is small—so they’re prepared for the bigger decisions later in life.

The 11 Brain Risk Factors (BRIGHT MINDS)

The authors share 11 key risks that can harm a child’s brain—and how to protect against them:

B – Blood Flow

• Why it matters: Good circulation feeds brain cells.

• Help your child: Encourage active play—running, dancing, swimming, cycling (always with a helmet).

R – Rational Thinking

• Why it matters: Clear thinking stops impulsive choices.

• Help your child: Teach them to spot and replace ANTs—Automatic Negative Thoughts.

I – Inflammation

• Why it matters: Ongoing inflammation slows the brain.

• Help your child: Give omega-3 foods (walnuts, flaxseeds, fish), probiotics, and keep teeth clean with daily flossing.

G – Genetics

• Why it matters: Family history can influence risks.

• Help your child: Know your family’s health background and act early.

H – Head Trauma

• Why it matters: Even mild injuries can affect learning and mood.

• Help your child: Wear helmets for bikes/skates, avoid contact sports like tackle football, no heading soccer balls.

T – Toxins

• Why it matters: Chemicals can disrupt brain growth.

• Help your child: Avoid oxybenzone in sunscreen, parabens & phthalates in cosmetics, and pesticides in food.

M – Mental Health

• Why it matters: Stress, anxiety, and depression affect brain function.

• Help your child: Encourage healthy thinking, talk about feelings, and seek help if needed.

I – Immune System

• Why it matters: A strong immune system helps the brain heal.

• Help your child: Check vitamin D levels, add onions/mushrooms/garlic to meals, ensure enough rest.

N – Neurohormones

• Why it matters: Hormones affect focus and mood.

• Help your child: Avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals in processed foods and pesticides.

D – Diabesity (Diabetes + Obesity)

• Why it matters: High sugar damages brain cells.

• Help your child: Limit sugar; offer fresh, whole foods.

S – Sleep

• Why it matters: Sleep is when the brain repairs and grows.

• Help your child: Make sure they get 10–13 hours each night.

Make Brain Health Fun

Turn it into a simple game:

• Parent: “Is this good for my brain?” (holding walnuts)

• Child: “Yes!”

• Parent: “Cycling without a helmet?”

• Child: “Scary bad!”

• Parent: “Sugary soda?”

• Child: “Not good for my brain.”

When learning feels like play, lessons stick.

Parents, You Matter Too

Your brain health shapes your child’s brain health. The way you handle stress, eat, sleep, and protect yourself sets the example. When they see you living brain-healthy habits, they’re more likely to follow.

Takeaway Motto for the Week

“Protect the brain, protect the future.”

Choose one brain-boosting habit this week—whether it’s adding an omega-3 snack, starting a bedtime routine, or going outside for daily play. Small steps today lead to a stronger, healthier mind tomorrow.