Back to School: Brain Development Does Not Stop Once School Is Out For The Day
Dr. Jerome Schultz, department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School states “I believe that most, if not all, of the behaviors addressed in the programs described are caused by the predictable reaction of a child who is under stress.” The programs he is referring to are the ADD and ADHD programs for children. Notice how he used the word “predictable.” When it comes to a developing child who is under stress, it can become predictable on how their brain processes it to the rest of their body. Children need consistency, calmness and a sense of security.
Summer comes to an end and now their schedules are about to become less occupied with the outdoors, and more with hours of sitting and listening instead of communicating with peers, playing, swimming and running. It is not to say that learning to listen is not significant - it certainly is! However, it is important that this is not the only way your child’s brain is being fed. Sure, feeding your child healthy vegetables and meals are valuable, but this is about a neurological feeding of your child’s brain. A child’s brain needs activity past 3:00 PM, but perhaps a different type of activity it gets during the school day: active movement and personal engagement.
When children feel out of control, they are reacting to the stress that appears to be bombarding their brain. Stress and non-engagement can dampen the frontal lobe, which affects other portions of the brain, leading to difficulty concentrating and problem solving, poor judgment, comprehension issues, etc. Interactive games, balancing games like yoga, memory games and hand-eye coordination activities all help stimulate the frontal lobe. Notice that moving their body directly affects their brain: this is a crucial pathway that must be working optimally at all times.
Now, how can we help address a child’s stress level on their body? If a child’s stress level is elevated, there is a likelihood of a neuro-spinal shift occurring in the child. Secondary conditions of a child with neuro-spinal shifts can include ADD/ADHD, allergies, chronic ear or sinus infections, difficulty with digestion, headaches, to name a few. It is essential to understand that these are all related to a child’s way of handling stress while their body might also be dealing with neuro-spinal shifts that must be addressed. By creating a healthy pathway between the brain and body through Neuro-Spinal Correction, many secondary conditions can be prevented or resolved. For more information, visit our website at www.premierchiropa.com