Ayurveda and Children's Health: Learning ability

Ayurveda and Children's Health Learning ability

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Learning ability, learning imbalances, ADHD, harnessing nature’s intelligence in food

At school - the Ayurvedic view of learning ability

Children starting back at school are ready for fresh achievement and enjoyment. Or are they? School is a major part of a child’s life, so how can parents make sure their children are well prepared to get maximum enjoyment and benefit from the hours they spend there? One way is to enhance learning ability by applying the knowledge of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda describe three aspects of mental ability: dhi (acquisition or learning), dhriti, (retention), and smriti (recall ability). When these three mental functions are balanced, a child's mind is quick and bright. When not balanced, either individually or in their coordination with each another, learning difficulties can occur.

Learning disorders and their effects—ADHD, socialising and self-esteem

Children with learning difficulties often feel like failures at school, which can lead to frustration, low self-esteem and related behavioural problems. There is already concern about a range of problem behaviours associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness. Such behaviours often prevent children from learning and socialising well and are called ADHD or hyperkinetic disorder.

Conventional medicine considers the causes to be the child’s temperament, heredity, brain injuries at or before birth, family stress and educational difficulties, and recommends supplements such as Omega 3 fish oils. Ayurveda approaches this problem from a different perspective and offers a range of procedures to improve mental functioning.

‘Intelligence’ in food—Diet is most important

Ayurveda points out that digestive impurities can obstruct the channels of communication between the three mental functions of acquisition, attention and recall and therefore gives prime importance to diet.

According to Ayurveda the quality of food has a profound influence on the mind and this is especially evident in the sensitive minds of children.

Most learning problems are caused by eating food lacking in intelligence

Non-organic food containing chemical additives, highly processed ‘junk’ food, and food not fresh or freshly cooked are all lacking in intelligence.

Food lacking in intelligence disrupts the intellectual rhythm between dhi, dhriti, and smriti. Modern researchers are discovering the link between learning disorders and harmful food additives such as chemical food preservatives, colourings, flavourings and emulsifiers.

Food additives and preservatives are found in most pre-cooked foods. The average US citizen consumes 3-4 kg of additives a year. Because children are in the critical developmental years, the harmful effects of these additives are magnified many times.

Modern researchers have confirmed the Ayurvedic principle that nutritional deficiencies can result in diminished mental function, alerting parents to the extra importance of organic food, which contains more vitamins and minerals in their natural proportions.

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Ayurveda and Children's Health

SUMMARY

AND 10 TIPS TO IMPROVE LEARNING (1)

The components of learning—acquisition, retention, recall— described by Ayurveda as dhi, dhriti and smriti.

Dosha imbalances diminish learning ability. Prana vata governs mind; imbalance causes hyperactivity. Sadhaka Pitta governs emotions; imbalance causes impulsiveness. Tarpaka Kapha governs sensory organs; imbalance causes inattentiveness.

1. Diet—intelligence in food. Fresh, pure, high quality organic food, no chemicals, balanced nutrition, plenty of grains, pulses, fruit, vegetables and fats—GHEE is excellent

NEXT PAGE … DIETARY ADVICE & SLEEP TIPS (2-3)