You may see reports of a study that found math scores were improved when students chewed gum. On Fox News they suggested an increase in blood flow to the brain and although not part of the study, it was reported that children felt calmer and that anecdotal reports indicate that gum chewing can help calm children with ADHD. So far this is true-Occupational Therapists have known that chewing is a primary organizing activity that can indeed produce a relaxation response as well as positively affect the auditory system. Here’s the CAUTION-We know that sugared gum has risks for the child’s health and dentition so it is assumed that sugarless gum is a good choice. Most gums today contain an ingredient called aspartame-this is a neurotoxin and most definately should not be consumed by children. Even adults can suffer serious health problems as a result of this chemical. The difficulty with gum is finding one that does not contain this harmful ingredient. I have found that even regular gum with sugar has some in it, even though its use was as an artificial sweetener. The only gum I have found so far without it is Chicklets, although you do have the sugar in that product. The alternative is non-nutritive chewing. We have a variety of products available but a good homemade option is a piece of exercise tubing or aquarium tubing with or without a knot in it. Unfortunately this is not always seen as socially appropriate so some kids will just keep biting on their pencils. It’s great in the privacy of your home though for studying and homework. What else boosts brain power? Water! I think it should be on every desk. At the Schlinic we carry Young Living Essential Oils and one in particular, peppermint, raises the oxygen level in the blood which improves learning. This is only with a therapeutic grade oil though, not the aromatherapy kind. By the way, there are also some products that can be slipped over a pencil for chewing purposes and kids can’t stick it on the bottom of the desk!
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