Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that raising mentally strong children begins with prioritizing brain health, which he considers foundational to emotional well-being, decision-making, and relationships. By examining over 250,000 brain scans across 155 countries, Dr. Amen has observed that many psychiatric issues stem not from “mental illness” per se, but from underlying brain dysfunction. He argues that when the brain is healthy, people function better mentally, emotionally, and socially. This insight reframes behavioral challenges in children—from impulsivity to aggression—not as character flaws or bad parenting, but as symptoms of a brain that needs healing and support.
One powerful example he shares is Chris’s story, a young boy misdiagnosed and mistreated for years, whose aggressive behaviors only worsened with medications and therapy. After a brain scan revealed dysfunction in areas related to impulse control and aggression, Dr. Amen tailored a treatment plan involving targeted supplements and dietary changes, leading to dramatic improvements. The turning point came not from blame or shame, but from understanding and nurturing Chris’s brain. Dr. Amen stresses that no amount of parenting can overcome an unhealthy brain, but with proper support, children can transform.
Dr. Amen advocates a “Brain First” approach, which includes teaching kids to love their brains, avoid harm, and engage in brain-healthy habits. He uses playful, interactive games with his daughter and classroom exercises to teach children which foods, habits, and behaviors are good or bad for their brain. He warns strongly against toxins like alcohol, marijuana, and excessive screen time, which damage the developing brain, comparing the young brain to a city under construction—fragile and full of potential. He also highlights the dangers of digital addiction, noting its effects on attention, mood, and social development.
Ultimately, Dr. Amen calls for a proactive lifestyle built around nutrition, exercise, sleep, targeted supplements, and parental supervision. He encourages delaying smartphones and video games, advocating coordination-based exercises (like dancing or pickleball) and healthy routines that optimize the brain’s development. His holistic approach to raising mentally strong kids involves shifting the conversation from blame to brain-based understanding, empowering families to make informed choices that nurture resilience, focus, emotional stability, and long-term well-being.
6 Family Rules to Raise Happy, Well-Behaved Kids
Journal and reflect on the following questions
How often do I talk to my children or students about the importance of brain health, and in what ways could I make this a regular conversation?
When a child in my care shows signs of behavioral or emotional struggle, do I consider brain health as a potential factor before assigning blame?
What everyday habits—like diet, sleep, exercise, or screen time—might be helping or harming the brain development of the young people around me?
How can I introduce brain-healthy routines in a way that is fun and engaging for children (e.g., through games, challenges, or storytelling)?
What role do I allow digital technology and social media to play in the lives of my children or students, and how could I guide them toward healthier use?
Am I modeling the brain-healthy behaviors I want young people to adopt, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, or managing stress?
How might a shift in perspective—from “mental illness” to “brain health” challenges—change the way I support children who are struggling emotionally or behaviorally?
Discuss
Song - Better When I'm Dancin
Loving Creator, we thank You for the gift of each child—fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. Help us to see beyond behavior and into the tender mysteries of the developing brain, to respond not with blame or frustration, but with compassion, wisdom, and care. Grant us the patience to nurture healthy minds through love, structure, and grace, and guide us to build homes and classrooms where rest, joy, and resilience can grow. May we model lives of balance, healthy choices, and spiritual grounding, so that every young person may know their worth, feel understood, and rise into the fullness of who You created them to be. Amen.
