Balancing and Improving your Childs Health

A step by step guide to balancing and improving your child's health and learning ability.

1. Test for food sensitivities – Food allergies usually display an external sign such as a rash but also cause internal reactions that are rarely seen. They can trigger adverse behavioural problems and stop nutrients from being absorbed into the body and brain.

2. Minerals – Your child may be affected by too many minerals (copper excess is common in children with learning difficulties), or too few minerals (magnesium and zinc deficiencies are common in children with learning difficulties). To balance these eat fresh, living foods that are strong in the minerals you need. Sometimes you may need a natural dietary supplement. Remember that seaweed is also full of minerals, and children often love eating sushi.

3. Preferably buy biodynamic or organic fruit and vegetables – They have up to 200% more nutrients than the regular supermarket varieties. For outlets contact http://www.theorganicsdirectory.com.au

4. Limit television and video games - as these develop a short attention span, rapid eye movement and slow the growth of creative pathways in the brain. Television and computer games can also affect the children’s ability to sleep well.

5. Learn Yoga, Eurythmy or Martial Arts - These train the body and mind to focus and concentrate. The discipline and practice feeds more oxygen to the brain, trains the mind to visualise and concentrate and to work within a strong discipline (find a teacher who enjoys working with children).

6. Give strong guidelines and stick to them. Have a rhythm in the family that suits everyone with set times for meals, homework and sleep.

7. Get your child to sleep early – despite them wanting to stay up, they are usually grateful that you are persistent as a growing body needs a lot of rest. Once the habit is formed there is little resistance.

8. Build your child’s self esteem by being positive about his/her abilities and provide family support for love and security. Look for ways to set up positive experiences such as asking for their assistance around the house.

9. Give your child responsibility and a role in the household and surrounding community. For example, grow some vegetables and encourage your child to water them, to pick them and share the produce with your neighbours. A worm farm can be a lot of fun.

10. Disharmony and stress in the household can create emotional and behavioural problems. Relax and have time out for yourself.

Page updated 22 Aug 2007