Recently some parents have been to their GP clinic to take part in the new Ministry of Health program to have their four year olds checked prior to starting school.

The first part of the questionnaire covers basic but important health questions and addresses such things as vision, hearing and allergies. The second part is a Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire to look at behavioural and social aspects of the child.

Some parents have been distressed with their experience over this second part of the questionnaire and we wanted to provide some ideas on how you can help your own children or other families that have experienced something similar.

There are many nutritional factors that can help a child with their learning and attention. For example one question asks if your child is restless and can cannot sit still for too long while another question asks if your child fidgets and squirms and still another asks if they often lose their temper. Apart from the fact that some children need loads of physical activity compared to others, there are some additives that can cause your child to feel hyper and irritable. Other additives can cause the skin to itch badly; both of which can lead to fidgeting, irritability and restlessness in a child.

Another question asks if your child experiences headaches and stomach aches frequently. Some food intolerance's can cause these kinds of problems in children and we have helped many a child with these complaints with some simple solutions. Below are some simple tips that you can use to help your child have an enjoyable experience at school and support their learning. If you suspect your child is reacting to foods or additives, you can see Nellie our
naturopath who is very experienced in helping parents and children with discovering the problem and providing a solution.

Vitamin D is made in the body when the sun hits the skin and sun block reduces your ability to synthesise vitamin D. This nutrient is necessary for good mood and quality sleep and is deficient in many people.  Sensible sun exposure, cod liver oil and vitamin D drops are the ways you can boost vitamin D. For some of the latest research on the benefits of vitamin D, you can read one of our latest newsletters devoted to this crucial nutrient on  www.holisticmendicalcentre.co.nz.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a highly alkaline mineral that has a calming effect on the nervous system and has helped many with restless sleep, irritability as well as improving problems with headaches.

MSG (monosodium glutamate)

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is an additive which appears on labels as 621 or Flavour Enhancer 621. Apart from causing irritability and agitation it can cause headaches, stomach aches, itchy skin and can dramatically aggravate existing eczema. All of these as you can imagine are highly distracting for a child and can make learning and concentration very difficult.

Artificial colours

Artificial colours are all the 100 numbers such as 160 and 161 and are found on labels either as the number or with an E in front of the number. These types of additives can be over stimulating to the nervous system, can cause itchy skin and aggravate existing eczema.

Artificial preservatives

Artificial preservatives are all the 200 numbers such as 220 and 251. These can cause headaches and itchy skin as well as aggravating existing eczema. The worst offenders are 250 and 251 which are found in processed meat including bacon. Interestingly enough deli meats often contain MSG
as well as artificial colours so can be highly problematic for children, having a detrimental effect on learning and concentration.

If you would like more information on the foods that contain these additives you will find that on our website in a newsletter titled "What Am I Eating?" Alternatively there is a great little book you can buy called the Additive Code Breaker.