| Children go through a number of moods each | | | | playing a musical instrument cab assist kids in |
| days, some pleasant and others both challenging | | | | managing their emotions. In fact, the repetitive |
| and frustrating. As parents we can influence our | | | | movements of playing some musical instruments |
| child's moods and below are outlined Eight (8) | | | | has been shown to increase the level of dopamine |
| simple things we can manipulate in order to | | | | which assists in changing moods and motivating |
| influence moods. | | | | kids to actually do something. |
| Sleep: | | | | Television and Videos: |
| Sleep is the body's time to process the day's | | | | Television and videos change moods. We are all |
| activities and learnings. During this time the brain | | | | familiar with the feeling of relaxing in front of the |
| sorts through the day and stores and files that | | | | television and zoning out to the world. Television is |
| information it deems important and relevant and | | | | also linked to kids modelling what they see, and |
| trashes irrelevant information. This is also the time | | | | gaining an unrealistic appreciation of the real world. |
| when the body regenerated its self physically, and | | | | Television and videos need to be monitored not |
| rebalances our neuro-chemical factors.. Lack of | | | | only for their content but also for the amount of |
| sleep leaves us both tired and frustrated. We fail | | | | time children use these entertainment avenues to |
| to make reasoned decision; we have less | | | | zone out from the real world |
| tolerance of the daily obstacles that confront us | | | | Computers (computer games): |
| due to imbalances in our body chemistry. | | | | These games have incredible power to change |
| Lights: | | | | moods. We have all seen that irritable and angry |
| It has been known for some time that | | | | child sit in front of the computer and become |
| fluorescent lighting can affect the moods of | | | | focused and goal-oriented on the game they are |
| certain people. For children with challenging | | | | playing. Kids today live in a 'play station' world |
| behaviour natural or indirect lighting form lamps is | | | | where they can fail and immediately reset the |
| considered best. However getting kids outside is | | | | game, the action is constant with bright images |
| the most beneficial. Lowering the level of lighting | | | | and sound. Video games link to three desirable |
| experienced by kids a few hours prior to sleep | | | | states for teenagers (boys in particular); the ability |
| can greatly assist the soundness of their sleeping. | | | | to have adult adventures without adult |
| Diet: | | | | involvement; the ability to test yourself against |
| Food is our most powerful drug. We associate it | | | | others or by yourself; and a sense of being in a |
| with flash eating establishments, fine food and | | | | club as others can play on line as well. |
| socialising. One of the fastest ways to change | | | | However, excessive use is detrimental and can |
| someone's mood is to feed and water them. The | | | | become addictive. The skills learned do not readily |
| diets of challenging kids should be high in protein | | | | transfer to real life and so kids can become |
| and low in carbohydrates. This would mean | | | | entranced in a fantasy world. Parents need to |
| increasing their intake of meats such as lean beef, | | | | parent kids and that means to get them involved |
| and white meats which are high in a chemical | | | | in a variety of activities (computers maybe one). |
| called tryptohan which aids in the prevention of | | | | Balance is the key, parents need to ensure that |
| depression, also limiting their intake of caffeine | | | | their kids are involved in a number of options |
| through coffee or caffeinated drinks. | | | | which also include engagement in physical activities |
| Movement and Posture: | | | | of some description. |
| The body has an inbuilt memory and so is capable | | | | You: |
| of associating various body postures with certain | | | | The best mood changer for your child is you. |
| feelings. Challenging kids are especially good at this, | | | | However, challenging kids can be very wearing |
| and traditionally associate a slumped posture with | | | | and are very good at making parents feel guilty. |
| feeling tired and sad. Movement is a great mood | | | | Guilt is the first thing you need to get rid of, no |
| modifier, I often in my dealings with challenging | | | | parent can be there all the time or be clever |
| kids will say 'you look upset, come and talk to me | | | | enough or loving enough, no parent can be |
| whist we walk...', this helps to shift their patterns | | | | everything, and parents need to accept this so |
| and seems to allow them to express themselves. | | | | that they can take control of the second thing |
| Music: | | | | which is setting the tone of your home. Lead by |
| Teenagers will tell you that music changes your | | | | example, sleep, eat and become engaged in |
| mood and alters your brain function and in this | | | | activities so you can involve your kids. |
| case their not wrong. We've all heard that music | | | | Remember challenging kids' moods and behaviours |
| can touch your soul this is because music is a | | | | are not set by their thoughts alone, and many |
| whole brain activity and has enormous influence | | | | factors can contribute to settling and influencing |
| over our emotions. Listening to music around the | | | | their moods of which this article has mentioned a |
| house indicates to kids that it's not school and | | | | few. |