Back to school is here, which comes with the challenge of getting kids to focus on school work and get back into the learning mode. On the surface, it seems like a good idea to use gimmicks like fidget spinners, instrumental music, etc. But there may be more going on that caused attention difficulties.
THE BRAIN
The brain plays a big part in all of this, so let’s dig into some information that could make their experience easier.
The brain is multifaceted and handles all kinds of functions that facilitate learning and focus. Over the holidays, some of these functions switch off and others switch on. The limbic system is located in the middle of the brain and acts like a conductor, directing sensory input to where it needs to go. Stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, and fear all get directed to a protective response. On the others side of things, calm and structured input gets directed to the cerebral cortex for learning and the hippocampus, where information is slated for memory and focus. That’s why kids in highly stressful situations find it hard to settle down and learn. Teachers who understand this and make learning more fun and less stressful tend to have more successful grade averages in their classes.
So the goal, as parents, caregivers, and teachers is to keep from overstimulating the limbic system and avoid the fight-or-flight response in the children’s brains. Because an overwhelmed limbic system won’t direct traffic very well.
STRESS & THE ENVIRONMENT
Stress comes mostly from our environment in foods, diet, emotional situations, and physical situations too. It doesn’t take a pediatric chiropractor to understand that, with all of this stressful input, kids can get stuck in a mode that isn’t conducive to learning. Physical and emotional stress can start at birth, from a difficult delivery, or even an emotionally stressful pregnancy.
Our Insight Scanning technology allows us to visually see areas of stress or tension can could be causing, or a result of, these stressors in kids of all ages. We can see where that tension is being held, that could be causing focus problems. Typically, we see tension representing itself in the neck and shoulder areas.
When tension is not handled properly, it can result in hyperactivity because that’s the realm of protection, being hyper aware, avoiding danger, etc. It’s not the calm state in which kids are ready to learn.
Our nervous system’s main function is to interpret input from the environment around us and coordinate the function of all the cells of our body.
SYMPTOMS
- Hyperactivity
- Uneasiness
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Lack of Focus
- Can’t sit still
All of us, with an overly stress-stimulated brain, experience trouble paying attention because the limbic system is flooded and the hippocampus shuts down. It can’t efficiently coordinate everything going on, and certainly isn’t at a state of peace.
Do you remember trying to remember something during a stressful day, and you just feel the need to unplug, take a nap, hit some golf balls, or read something funny? That’s your body telling you that it’s overstimulated and needs a break. Kids need a break from sensory input, especially after the holidays or summer break. This seems counterintuitive but the break they need isn’t a break from work; it’s a break from competing input. They need less going on, like video games, phone use, arguments, overly busy extracurricular activities, etc. They need less to distract them and more time for rational thought.
A pediatric chiropractor can help kids by helping to relieve some of the physical representations of stress like subluxations and tension, that can throw off balance, coordination, and focus. It’s frustrating to deal with a child who isn’t paying attention, which is why so many parents seek a medical treatment to help. But, sometimes all it takes is a thoughtful chiropractic treatment plan to help their bodies function properly.
Next time you notice your child having problems with focus, anxiety, and stress, give a pediatric chiropractor a try. We specialize in prenatal and pediatric chiropractic because pregnant mothers and children have stress that is rarely treated without prescription drugs. We’ve seen incredible results in our patients and would love to show you how we can help.