If you can still recall these 7 childhood memories, your brain is healthier than you think

Memory is a curious thing. Some of it fades quietly into the corners of our mind, like an old photograph left too long in the sun.

Yet other pieces stay vibrant—so real we can still hear the laughter, feel the warmth, or smell the food cooking in the kitchen.

Here’s the good news: being able to recall certain childhood memories isn’t just nostalgia at work. It’s actually a sign that your brain is doing a remarkable job of holding onto the past in a way that keeps it both sharp and resilient.

Neuroscientists have long studied memory recall, and they’ve found it plays a central role not just in remembering facts but also in regulating emotions, shaping identity, and maintaining neurological health.

So, if you find yourself vividly recalling some of the moments I’m about to list, take it as a positive sign. Your brain may be healthier than you think.

1. The smell or taste of your favorite meal

Isn’t it something how a single whiff of apple pie or the taste of warm bread can send you back decades? This is no accident.

The connection between smell, taste, and memory is one of the strongest in the brain, thanks to the way the hippocampus and amygdala link sensory input with emotional experiences.

For me, it’s my grandmother’s roast chicken. I can still see her bustling around the kitchen, hear the clatter of pans, and smell the herbs wafting through the house.

That memory isn’t just comfort food for the soul—it’s living proof of how well the brain stores sensory details.

Researchers even have a name for this phenomenon: the “Proust effect,” after French writer Marcel Proust, who famously described how the taste of a madeleine cake unleashed a flood of childhood memories.

If you can still recall flavors or scents from your youth, it means your sensory memory pathways are alive and well.

And more than that—it’s a reminder that our senses and our brains are deeply intertwined. Every smell or taste you can still recall is like a little signpost of your brain’s resilience.

2. Your very first school day

Do you remember your first day of school? The excitement, the nerves, maybe even the fear of letting go of your parent’s hand? That first day is one of those defining “flashbulb” moments for many of us.

Neurologists explain that emotionally charged experiences—especially big “firsts”—are stored with extra durability.

The amygdala, which processes emotions, interacts with the hippocampus, which stores memory, to make sure we remember the big stuff.

For me, I can still picture the stiff new shoes I wore and the sound of the classroom clock ticking as I sat at my tiny desk. I felt like a very small fish in a very large pond.

Those details have lasted not because they were especially dramatic, but because my brain locked them away as part of my identity-building years.

So, if you can still recall your first school day, it’s more than a sweet memory. It’s evidence your emotional memory system is working exactly as it should.

3. A time you got in trouble

Nobody likes getting in trouble as a kid, but strangely enough, those moments often stay etched into our minds.

I’ll never forget being caught red-handed stealing cookies before dinner. My mother’s face, a mix of disappointment and love, still flashes in my mind even now.

Why do these memories stick? Because consequence has a way of sharpening the mind. Our brains tag those events as “important lessons.”

Psychologists say we remember negative experiences so we can avoid repeating them—a survival mechanism that goes back thousands of years.

Winston Churchill once said, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Our brains, it seems, take that advice seriously on a personal level.

The fact you can recall those moments means your brain’s learning-and-retention circuits are doing their job.

So, don’t be embarrassed by those memories of childhood scoldings. They are proof that your brain is still capable of storing and learning from formative experiences.

4. Childhood play and imagination

What was your favorite game as a child? Maybe you raced bikes down the street, played tag until dusk, or invented worlds with dolls and action figures.

These aren’t just idle recollections—they’re windows into a brain that was actively building problem-solving skills and social intelligence.

Neuroscientists often say that play is “the work of childhood.” It stimulates creativity, strengthens decision-making, and even primes the brain for resilience later in life.

Personally, I can still hear the creak of the old swing set at our local park, each squeak acting like a time machine.

When I recall those moments, I’m not just remembering fun—I’m reliving the very exercises that helped wire my brain for imagination.

If you can still picture your games of pretend or neighborhood adventures, that’s not only comforting—it’s a great sign your episodic memory is functioning well.

5. Family traditions and rituals

Whether it was Sunday dinners, lighting holiday candles, or annual beach trips, family traditions are among the most enduring of our memories.

They’re repeated, they’re meaningful, and they’re tied to belonging—all perfect conditions for memory storage.

As Brené Brown has said, “Connection is why we’re here; it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Family rituals are living proof of that truth. They lodge themselves in memory because they represent safety, continuity, and identity.

I still remember the quiet joy of sitting at the table every Friday night, the same meal, the same faces, the same warmth. Those rituals didn’t just feed us; they anchored us.

If you can still call up these traditions, your brain is reminding you that community and connection mattered then—and still matter now. It’s a signal of healthy long-term memory and emotional balance.

6. The face of your first friend

Who was your first true friend? The one you giggled with in class, shared secrets with, or maybe even got into a little trouble alongside? These memories endure because our brains are wired for connection.

Remembering faces and interactions draws on the fusiform gyrus, the part of the brain dedicated to recognizing faces.

Being able to recall your first friend’s face, their laugh, or the mischief you shared shows your social memory is intact.

Studies have shown that strong social memory is linked with healthier cognitive function in older age.

In fact, Harvard’s long-term study on adult development—one of the most comprehensive in history—found that relationships are one of the strongest predictors of happiness and brain health as we age.

When I think back, I can still see the grin of the boy who lived down the street, the one who dared me to climb trees higher than I should have.

Those snapshots of companionship remind me that our earliest friendships still shape our sense of belonging decades later.

7. The moment you overcame a childhood fear

Every child has fears—whether it was learning to swim, standing up in class, or riding a bike without training wheels. Do you remember the exact moment you pushed through one of yours?

That memory is powerful because it’s tied to resilience. Our brains tend to hold onto these victories as proof that courage pays off.

Even if it felt small at the time, those triumphs laid the groundwork for facing bigger challenges later in life.

Albert Einstein famously said, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Childhood fears are often the first place we test that truth.

When we remember overcoming them, we’re not just recalling—we’re reinforcing the identity of someone who can rise to the occasion.

For me, it was the first time I dove into the deep end of a pool. I was terrified, but when I surfaced, sputtering and smiling, it felt like the world had opened up. I still carry that feeling with me, a reminder of what it means to be brave.

Why these memories matter

Now, you might be wondering: what makes these specific memories different? Why not the countless hours of ordinary days that have faded?

The answer is that our brains prioritize what’s emotionally charged, repeated, or tied to identity. That’s why these memories often endure while so many others slip away.

Here’s the kicker: being able to recall them in rich detail is linked to cognitive health.

Research finds that older adults who retain strong autobiographical memory—especially when it taps into personal significance and positive emotion—tend to show better emotional regulation and maintain cognitive resilience over time.

It’s part of what’s known as the “positivity effect,” where older adults focus more on positive memories and regulate their emotions more effectively as they age

I won’t pretend to have it all figured out, but I do know this: when you can still summon the smell of your grandmother’s kitchen or the thrill of conquering a childhood fear, it’s more than sentiment.

It’s living evidence your brain is active, connected, and healthy.

Final thoughts

Our memories aren’t just relics of the past. They are living threads woven into who we are today.

If you can still recall these seven kinds of childhood moments, it’s a reassuring sign that your brain is not only holding on but thriving.

Of course, none of us remember everything. Some details blur, others vanish. That’s normal. What matters is that the moments tied to identity, emotion, and connection remain strong.

So here’s my question for you: which of these memories comes back the clearest—and what does it tell you about the life you’ve lived so far?