5 Tips for a Better School Year
The school year is in full swing. How are you feeling? Stressed? Anxious? Excited?
Your emotions likely stem from your child's past school experiences. Some kids love it; others dread it. No matter what, this year can be their best yet.
As parents, we need simple, actionable advice to improve family life. Try these five steps to make school fun and energizing—instead of stressful and exhausting.
These tips center on nourishing and stimulating your child's brain. Without the right fuel, kids face poor focus, weak immunity, frustration, and a tough year.
Step 1: Assess Your Child’s Brain
The brain runs in two main modes: protection mode (like stress) and growth mode (calm and focused). These operate subconsciously in the autonomic nervous system, controlling 90% of decisions, mood, and body functions.
Signs Your Child's Brain Is in Protection Mode:
Any diagnosis (e.g., ADD, ADHD, SPD, OCD, ODD, ASD)
Frequent illnesses, month after month
Poor balance or coordination
Short temper
Trouble focusing
Difficulty with peers
Poor sleep
Awkward grip on utensils or pencils (like a "caveman")
If none of these apply? Great—your child most likely defaults to growth mode!
If several ring true? Protection mode is likely their default. It may have started in utero or at birth.
How to Switch to Growth Mode:
Visit a gentle pediatric chiropractor who understands this. Read more here.
Once in growth mode, your child is primed for Steps 2–5. These align with key times: before bed, before school, during school, and after school.
Pro Tip for Parents: Apply these to yourself too. Watch your happiness, energy, and productivity soar!
Step 2: Before Bed
Create a calm wind-down routine an hour before lights out.
Key Actions:
Zero screens: TV, movies, or games excite the brain with fast images, blue light, and EMFs—triggering stress.
No heavy food: Skip an hour before bed (except veggies). Refined sugars, simple carbs, or hard-to-digest foods divert energy from sleep's repair work: brain growth, detox, and healing.
Consistent bedtime at or before 9 pm: This syncs the circadian rhythm and maximizes growth hormone for development.
Salt lamps only: Illuminate with their orange glow for reading or gentle play. It boosts melatonin, mimicking a sunset.
Result? Deeper sleep, better brain development, detox, and growth.
Step 3: Before School
Fuel up right to sustain energy all day.
Breakfast Basics:
Avoid sugary cereals, bagels, or white toast—they cause blood sugar crashes.
Opt for:
High-quality proteins (meat, eggs, yogurt)
Healthy fats (avocado, nuts)
Starches (sweet potatoes)
Add brain boosters like omega 3s, flaxseed oil, or MCT oil for focus-supporting fatty acids.
Easy Ideas:
Search online for protein-packed recipes: breakfast skillets, smoothies, and more. Switch up your menu effortlessly!
Step 4: During School
Movement and real food keep the brain sharp. This one might need teacher buy-in—frame it as a win for focus and mood.
Movement Matters:
Encourage full-out play at recess and gym
Stand and stretch when possible—sitting hunched (fetal position) dulls brain function
Frequent movement activates focus and emotional smarts
Tool Tip: If they're not super fidgety, grab a wobble cushion from Amazon. It improves posture, engages the spine, and nourishes higher brain areas.
Lunch & Snacks:
Stick to whole, natural/organic foods. Ditch artificial colors, flavors, GMOs, and seed oils (canola, sunflower, safflower).
A balanced diet supports learning, steady focus, energy, and fun at recess or PE.
Step 5: After School
Get moving! It's not just for unwinding—motion locks in the day's learning.
Movement releases key brain chemicals like Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) for focus, growth, and development.
Top Activities:
Balance & coordination: Catch, skateboarding, scootering, biking, tree climbing, and slack lining.
Spinning & swinging: Dancing, playground swings.
Consistency with Steps 2–5 keeps kids vibrant and focused all year. Results are guaranteed!
But What If Protection Mode Persists?
Revisit Step 1: See a pediatric chiropractor specializing in gentle care.
The doctor team at our office helps kiddos stay in growth mode—boosting focus, immunity, digestion, happiness, maturity, peer interactions, and overall potential.
Cheers to an epic school year! You got this, Mom and Dad!