Unlocking The Full Potential of Your Child's Brain
Your child has
been back at school now for a couple of months.
Test results are returning and grades are below average. Parent/teacher conferences have been called
regarding your child's behavioral problems.
What should you do?
Establish an environment that will promote
brain growth and symmetrical development of both hemispheres of their brain. This concept can be termed "brain hygiene". According to research done on lateralization
of brain function and split brain research, we see that the right and left hemispheres of your brain
are specialized for certain functions and behaviors. We should also note that within our brain we
have a metronome (pacemaker) that provides us with a certain level of arousal
or stimulation that allows us to keep focus
and attention on tasks and also allows both of our hemispheres to function
symmetrically. Due to an unhealthy brain environment we can make one side of our brain
dominant over the other and produce a fluctuating arousal level displayed as
inattentive and distractible behavior.
Here are some ways that you can put these concepts
to use and begin to foster proper "brain hygiene":
A.
Physical Activity- have your
child participate in after-school sports or recreational programs. Additionally, focus on strengthening core
muscles. I sometimes recommend reading
or doing homework on an exercise ball with good posture. This activation of postural muscles has a
profound effect on normalizing arousal levels and increasing focus and
attention.
B.
Utilize Both
Sides of Your Body- have your child utilize the non-dominant arm and
leg more frequently. I often recommend
using the non-dominant hand when eating, brushing teeth, and when combing hair
one or two days a week. Other changes
such as off-setting the computer monitor to the same side of the dominant hand
is also effective.
C.
Brain Foods-
spinach or kale, broccoli, salmon or other cold water fatty fish, beans, whole
grain bread (unless child has gluten sensitivity), oats, sweet potatoes,
garlic, green tea, and blueberries.
Every child should also be taking a multi-vitamin recommended by their
Physician.
D.
Sleep-
it is essential that all children, and adults, get at least 8-10 hours of sleep
every night. It is during deep sleep
that we release growth hormone which helps to repair and replenish our body.
If your child does
not respond to some of these basic, generalized changes he/she may be a candidate for Hemispheric Integration Therapy. This treatment focuses on establishing
symmetry and coherence between both hemispheres and on setting normal, non
fluctuating arousal levels using conservative "brain exercises".