The surprising brain benefit of helping with grandchildren

Many grandparents delight in doting on their grandchildren — from bedtime stories to bundled-up walks in the park. But according to a new report, there may be a deeper benefit to that loving involvement than just warm memories.

A study reported by Tony Dokoupil for CBS News suggests that grandparents who actively help care for their grandkids tend to perform better on memory and language tests and show slower cognitive decline over time than those who do not. So simply staying engaged with the life of a child, the research by the American Psychological Association suggests, may help keep aging minds more responsive and resilient.

The idea resonates with families across generations — and with grandparents like Dokoupil’s mom, Gail. In fact, when the reporter, a father of four, called his own mother to share the news, her reaction captured the joy (and perhaps the surprise) of many grandparents: for her, spending time with her grandchildren gives her "a sense of purpose," and with the added bonus that they "energize" her.

And yet, here’s what science may now be confirming: the laughter, the play, the conversations about homework, superheroes, and spilled juice — these everyday moments may do far more than bring joy. They may also be sharpening minds, strengthening memory retrieval, and keeping the brain agile.

From a faith-filled perspective, this isn’t just a psychological nudge. It feels like a reflection of something many families intuitively know: that presence matters. When grandparents stay close to the rhythms of family life — offering prayers, hugs, wisdom, and continuity — they’re feeding something beyond the emotional or the relational. They are engaging in rhythms of attention that keep the mind active and the heart young.

In Catholic spiritual tradition, older generations are often seen as the custodians of memory — not just personal memory, but spiritual memory. They remind younger generations of where they come from, who they are, and what endures beyond the rush of daily life. Passing on bedtime prayers or retelling stories of baptisms and first communions, grandparents help shape both the future and the present — and perhaps, as this study hints, they also help preserve their own cognitive vitality in the process.

The findings add a hopeful twist not only for aging individuals, but for families who want to stay close across generations. The study does not suggest that every grandparent must become a full-time caregiver. What it highlights is the power of relational engagement — the joy of shared stories, games, meals, and conversations. These small, repeated interactions may be exercising the brain in ways that test scores alone can’t fully capture.

The study also aligns with broader research on mental health and aging. Social connection, purpose, and meaningful activity — especially when they involve children — are all factors linked to better overall well-being. In this sense, grandparents’ involvement becomes both a gift they give and a gift they receive.

So if you find a grandmother recounting a favorite saint’s story with her grandchildren, or a grandfather humming the tune of a Christmas carol as he ties tiny shoes, take heart. There’s more happening there than meets the eye. Across living rooms, backyards, and Sunday dinners, generations are not only bonding — they’re helping each other stay lively, sharp, and joyfully present.

And perhaps that’s one more reason why being a grandparent can feel like one of life’s sweetest, most generative vocations — a role that feeds not only the soul but, in surprising ways, the mind as well.