Possible disease states to consider could be environmental like heavy metals, parasites, or EMF's. Wireless electronics, especially handheld phones can emit radiation to the brain. Food additives can also compromise health. Homeopathic Detox drops or tabs will help.
Antioxidant nutrition provides protection to all cells in the body, so supplementing will make for stronger cells and less disease or sensitivity. Extra Selenium & Vit-E plus omega 3 fatty acids like Fish & Krill Oil or plant based like Flax or Chia will help cognition, is a good start. If there is no liver or eggs in the diet 5, 000 iu of Vit A will be necessary, and also usually contains Vit-D which is typically lacking in cold climate regions where there is insufficient sunlight for the body to make it's own D.
SAM-e helps the body & mind in many ways so give her 200mg once daily for starters.
The herb Chinese Skullcap is a powerful neuroprotector due to it's antioxidant affinity for the brain; and is also calming so take preferably before retiring.
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In addition to Timh's great post of ideas, I will share some thoughts...
Some children are particularly sensitive to food dye and MSG in their foods. Children that react to these things can have trouble with focus.
Chamomile Tea is calming. A quarter cup with breakfast and/or lunch may be helpful. Some parents find the essential oil, Vetiver, to be helpful (used externally) for helping children to focus. Fats are important for the brain. Olive oil and Coconut Oil are my preferred fats.
Is your child's teacher concerned about where your daughter is in learning to read? How is your daughter doing at recognizing sounds (phonics), or is she being taught to memorize words (whole language)?
There is a wide range of normal when it comes to learning to read. Some will learn as early as 4 (rare) and others will learn quite late. I know a man who learned to read when he was 14. He became an an author and speaker! That is certainly an extreme example and I believe he had dyslexia.
Most of my children have learned to read on the early side. However, reading is just now "clicking" for my 9 year old son. But he is years ahead in his math and is very skilled in other areas. Some mild seasonal deafness for several winters in a row made it hard for him to distinguish certain sounds.
A really excellent book to help you help your child with reading is called:
by Peggy Kaye.
Reading out loud to your child daily is a great help to them also. I especially love Dr. Suess books to read to children. They are high interest, humorous, and use lots of rhyme and rhythm.
A great book to work through with your child is
I have used this to teach several of my children to read. I take it slowly and always stop before frustration sets in. Five minutes a day is plenty. It is important for reading to be a pleasant experience. If a child associates frustration or unpleasantness with reading, it is going to make them less interested in learning it.
A few other things...
Did your child ever crawl? Reading specialist Ruth Beechick found that children that never crawled had trouble learning to read. It seems that some connections are made in the brain during crawling that are needed to learn to read.
Is is possible that your child has any trouble with hearing or vision?
Well, I could write all day on the subject as it is one that is dear to my heart. I have had the privilege of teaching many children to read between my own and the first graders I taught when I was a public school teacher.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
~Mama to Many~
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Excellent job! You persevered for an entire year and have seen great results!
I am sure others will be encouraged by your faithfulness and the fruit thereof!
Your child is so blessed to have you.
~Mama to Many~
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I've also heard about crawling being important for reading AND that it's never too late: they are making ADULTS with dyslexia crawl!!!!
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I tried reading books to him but he won't sit and listen. He loves playing in the yard outside digging dirt and picking up stones though, but my husband does not want him to do that so there's always crying when my son does not get his way. My son is the type who is impatient, demanding, and cries most of the time.
I am happy to found Mama to Many's tips as now I have learned what can help my son get the proper brain and emotional development that has been tried and tested by someone who have years of experience in raising 9 children.
Me and my husband have lots to change in how we interact with our son because what we are doing right now has been doing him more harm than good.
Thanks for this post!
