THE DAILY RISE & FALL OF OUR LEARNERS
Allow me to paint a common picture for you.
Monday morning arrives. The young learner might have had breakfast at home – a bowl of processed, sugar-saturated cereal, a portion of something dense with carbohydrate, or the classic toast with Nutella. Worst still, the young learner walks into their learning ground and purchases a processed hash brown, a thick shake, a sausage roll, or an artificially produced Up & Go from the school canteen.
At 8:30 a.m., the young learner has surpassed half, if not all, of their daily calorie limit.
Consequently, the young learner’s glucose (blood sugar) would have spiked not only prematurely but exponentially, offering a short-lived burst of energy.
Fatigue and poor concentration are bound to follow. At 10.00 a.m., the young learner crashes.
Recess arrives. The young learner opens//their lunchbox or visits the canteen for a second time that day. A packet of chips, a Le Snack, or a processed muesli bar is consumed, combined with a can of Coke and Zappo’s for a treat. The young learner’s movement is restricted by their preoccupation with electronic screens.
Again, glucose spikes. Fatigue sets in, and the crash is inevitable.
Class resumes. Concentration becomes increasingly tricky.
Lunch is here. Spaghetti Bolognese, a chicken burger or a meat pie become tempting options. Yes, there is some protein in these options, but they remain nutritionally lacking and contain artificial ingredients. These meals are often followed by a tasty Powerade or perhaps an ice block, accompanied by a side of Zappo’s.
Again, glucose spikes and the crash follow.
Class resumes. Concentration becomes more difficult. The crash is inevitable.
On balance, the young learner has crashed multiple times, all while their brain needs to be operating at a much higher cognitive capacity.
It is impossible; there is no organic fuel to stimulate the body.
This is the sad reality for many learners. I know because I have had the displeasure of closely observing hundreds of learners for some time.
Their growing bodies cannot withstand the onslaught of these events. Their brains are blocked; their minds are muddy; and their bodies are imbalanced.
They suffer from poor concentration and performance, mental health problems, and other health issues such as weight gain and acne.
Let me help you help them.
I challenge leadership teams, educators, guardians, and carers to rewrite the achievement narrative.
What is occurring daily in learning organisations is an injustice to the human body. It is an affront to human health.
We know the goal of a learning organisation is to attain learning success, whether that be academically, culturally, or spiritually. We recognise that there are numerous hours of professional development required to enhance learner performance through effective learning strategies.
But what about the fundamental basics?
Purpose, Plates & Play - P to the Power of 3 - (Mindfulness, Meals & Movement).
P3 naturally encourages learners to be confident and adventurous eaters who feel nourished by their food choices and understand the fundamental role their nutrition choices play in their everyday performance. It's not about creating a culture of healthy eating through fear or shame.
It is part of a learning organisation’s core role to create a safe and empowering food environment by bringing attention to learners, educators, guardians, and carers that what is placed into their / a learners body directly impacts their brains, and ultimately their academic performance, general well-being, and overall health.
If you are an organisation, educator, or guardian, and require assistance with this, please feel free to reach out to discuss how the ‘P3 Modules’ can be of service to you.
“✌️, ❤️ & Nutritionally Fuelled 🧠
In The Spirit of Learning,”
P.S. What causes a glucose spike?
Medication
Nutritionally void foods
Lack of movement
*NOTE: I also understand that this is NOT the case in every learning organisation. However, it is sadly extremely prominent. I will be writing another part of this soon, ‘How certain learning organisations have taken control of their learning achievement through holistic approaches’.
*NOTE.2: This same glucose spike occurs in adults as well, who opt for similar food choices to the ones outlined above. They, too, rise and fall throughout the day.*
