Every parent wants their child to succeed. So, we expect our children to pay attention in school and learn. However, are we really doing the best we can to set our children up to learn? Our team at Flash Fitness and Kids Flash have a few tips on habits you can change to help improve brain function, memory and focus, putting your children in a better position to succeed at school.
1. Switch to an egg breakfast.
Eating eggs for breakfast can improve memory and learning. Eggs are high in choline, a precursor of neurotransmitters that play a central role in memory and learning. Choline is also needed to produce another important brain nutrient called Citicoline, which increases blood flow to the brain and enhances the brain’s ability to use fuel. Rice or cereal breakfast destabilize blood sugar levels and decrease neurotransmitter effectiveness, leading to poor levels of concentration an hour or so after eating.
Eggs go a long way in improving your child’s ability to concentrate and focus at school. Not only does eating eggs for breakfast supply important nutrients to the brain, it also helps stabilize blood sugar levels, supplying a longer, more consistent energy source.
2. Limit sugar intake and increase fat intake.
You probably already know about sugar! Sugar induces a sharp rise in insulin, and increases dopamine levels. High levels of dopamine produce a state of brain fogginess and low motivation.
But what about the fat? Well, our brain is our fattiest organ, made up of about 60% fat. Eating higher levels of fat, especially monounsaturated fats like those found in olive oils and avocados, increase the production and release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, leading to better memory, brain function and mental health.
3. Exercise.
Exercise has been shown to be one of the very best things a child can do to improve brain health. It enhances cognitive functioning (information processing), memory, concentration, and reduces behavioral disorders, thus leading to increased academic achievement. Imagine two kids racing their bikes or running fast to beat one another to a football. This sort of high-intensity activity leads to increased hormone activity which has extraordinary benefits for developing children.
Unfortunately, in recent years there has been an alarming reduction in participation in this type of higher intensity physical activity. With the rise of technology, increased academic demands, and pressures of inner-city life, children’s lives have become increasingly sedentary.
Mounting research evidence indicates that increased participation in physical activity leads to enhanced learning and better grades. At Strong Kiddos , the fun and effective kids fitness program is designed for an optimal threshold of physical activity, leading to physical and cognitive fitness that has benefits in the classroom.
