How early cognitive training leads to lifelong brain strength

Key points:

As we continue to make strides in understanding the brain–its strengths and weaknesses, how it develops, and its incredible potential–one idea has continued to strike conversation: the profound benefits of cognitive training. Cognitive training involves exercises that target core skills like working memory, attention, and processing speed. While much of the research in this field has focused on its applications for the elderly, the greatest promise may lie in starting cognitive training early and establishing a foundation for lifelong brain health, rather than simply addressing decline later in life.

Research consistently shows that daily cognitive training exercises can slow cognitive decline and boost overall brain function in older adults. A landmark National Institutes of Health-funded study, known as the ACTIVE trial (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly), demonstrated that challenging brain activities help maintain mental sharpness and memory retention in people over 50, delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

While cognitive training benefits adults at any stage of life, the Handbook of Clinical Neurology indicates childhood as a uniquely pivotal opportunity for brain development. The research highlights that synaptogenesis (the creation of new synapses) peaks in childhood, making it a critical window for experience-dependent brain changes. If introduced during the formative schooling years, ideally between the ages of eight to 18, brain training has the potential to lay a strong foundation for sustained cognitive health well into adulthood, helping improve short-term cognitive skills and setting the stage for long-term mental fitness.

Using the education system as a vehicle to introduce cognitive skill development to children and teens offers a promising route for ensuring these benefits become part of every young student’s growth journey. By incorporating structured cognitive exercises into schools through gamified, digital training platforms, educational institutions can create a holistic approach to learning that nurtures both academic success and mental well-being in a fun, innovative way. And, while there may be hurdles to overcome due to time constraints associated with training or the implementation of new technology, the results of improving test scores with these mostly self-guided programs should make this transition a no-brainer.

Furthermore, the science shows that brain training programs have resulted in better schooling outcomes. One recent study published in Brain Sciences, an international scientific journal, investigated the efficacy of computerized cognitive training (CCT) on school-age children with learning differences. Teachers were trained to administer daily 20-minute sessions to students, monitor their progress, and provide guidance and support as needed. The findings ultimately concluded that CCT is efficacious in building core cognitive abilities that are critical to school success. Evidence also indicated that more CCT training leads to greater treatment effects. Research like this not only provides the assurance of positive results, but also demonstrates the feasibility of integrating technology-based cognitive training programs into school systems and educational organizations.

Students today face unprecedented distractions from technology, social media, and academic pressures. Cognitive training can combat these distractions early on by reinforcing focus and attention–skills that are essential for navigating an increasingly complex world. Embedding cognitive training into school curricula ensures all students have equal access to developing critical brain functions, giving them the fortitude to thrive both academically and personally. Just as physical education evolved from a novel concept to a core part of school curricula worldwide, cognitive training should be viewed through the same lens–as an investment in lifelong success, resilience and overall well-being.

The question is no longer whether cognitive training works–it does. With continued declines in national academic benchmarks, now is the time for homeschooling parents, public school systems, tutor centers, and other academic-adjacent institutions to get creative with solutions.

Investing in technology for cognitive training in the classroom is an evidence-based approach to improving student engagement and performance in the short term, while building a lasting foundation for robust brain health in the future. Proactive integration, rather than retroactive intervention, during the formative years of life is key to redefining the trajectory of cognitive aging. This isn’t just about improving test scores today; it’s about safeguarding mental acuity and cognitive resilience for generations to come.