“the unique plasticity of the human brain during childhood makes it the ideal window of opportunity to instill lifelong lasting healthy habits.”
This fact by modern research backs many queries parents have about child development. We at सरस्वती उपासक शिबिर in Nov, 2018, discussed them at length and concluded two major stages of child development, we cannot miss. If miss them, we are doing harm to the future of the world.
research has also shown that children with unhealthy habits who adopt healthy habits before adulthood have similar health outcomes to those who were never unhealthy.
यशोदा अभिभावाकता (-1 to 3 years)
First 5 years of life is all about लालन-पालन. Alphabests can wait, sanskar can’t. We call it चित्त development as per Vedic scriptures. Modern sciences says: unique plasticity of the human brain
Three things mother must keep in mind: आहार, व्यवहार, संस्कार
शार्दूल शिशुविहार (Age 3 to 7)
This is the time when children must realize that his/her community can also love as much as mother love!~ Again, very critical for healthy mind and body development. So kid must be placed among like-minded foster mothers! I don’t wish to call them teachers! They are in extended role of mothers! And the commune must happen in witness of mother nature!
Now read this research. It’s prescription is limited to mere good heart health! 🙂 But when we follow child development as per Vedic traditions, it is impossible not to produce mighty citizens!
Research
https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2018/12/06/13/33/childhood-intervention-key-to-lifelong-heart-health
Childhood Intervention Key to Lifelong Heart Health
Heart healthy habits in adults are rooted in the environment we live in in early childhood and, therefore, it is important to focus on health promotion in young children during this period to potentially prevent cardiovascular disease in adulthood, according to a review paper published Dec. 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
In the review paper, the authors describe what the future of health promotion looks like and specifically address three focus areas: reasons why children should be a focus for health promotion; strategies for health promotion in children along with legislative efforts; and research gaps. According to the authors, the unique plasticity of the human brain during childhood makes it the ideal window of opportunity to instill lifelong lasting healthy habits.
Modifiable risk factors in children and adolescents can include smoking, obesity, physical activity and unhealthy diet, as well as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood glucose. Research has shown that less than one percent of children have ideal dietary habits and only about 50 percent of adolescents get the guideline recommended amount of physical activity. However, research has also shown that children with unhealthy habits who adopt healthy habits before adulthood have similar health outcomes to those who were never unhealthy.
According to researchers, to effectively change the health habits of children, a multicomponent educational approach that involves family and teachers must be used. In the review, several strategies for school-based initiatives, family- and community-based interventions, and legislation and public policy initiatives are discussed.
Finally, the authors address the current gaps in research that might influence the success of health promotion interventions in children, including a lack of research on how family strain and emotional issues associated with socioeconomic status may influence unhealthy habits and limited longitudinal data directly linking unhealthy behaviors in children and cardiovascular outcomes in adults.
