How Do My Child’s Lifestyle Choices Affect their Education?

*This is a collaborative post.

What we eat, when we go to sleep and how much exercise we do all has an effect on our brain’s ability to absorb and retain new information. The lifestyle choices our children make all contribute to their development and their future.

An independent school in Kingston Upon Thames shares more on how lifestyle choices affect child education.

Breakfast

The most important meal of the day. What we have for breakfast massively impacts our energy levels for the rest of the day, making a nutritious breakfast all the more important. Foods that are high in sugar might temporarily boost your child’s energy levels but is shortly followed by a ‘crash’ making them feel lethargic. Food containing a lot of oil can have a similar effect by making children feel sluggish. Where possible, avoid sugary cereals, fry up breakfasts and encourage your child to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Getting Enough Sleep

With too little or too much sleep, concentration is reduced. By not getting enough sleep, the part of the brain that is responsible for problem-solving and organisation is also temporarily weakened. This can negatively affect your child’s ability to participate in class and their performance at school. For optimal sleep, review what is recommended for your child based on their age. If your child has trouble getting to sleep, try experimenting with mindfulness and switch off all devices 30 minutes before bed.

Exercise

Aside from the negative health consequences that come with being inactive, a lack of exercise can deprive your child of many benefits. For one, exercise can improve your child’s mental health by releasing endorphins. Studies have also linked aerobic exercise to the strengthening of the brain’s hippocampus which is responsible for memory and retaining information. Walking to school or going to an after-school club could help introduce physical activity into your child’s routine.