Learning ability, learning imbalances, ADHD , harnessing nature’s intelligence in food At school - the Ayurvedic view of learning ability Children starting back at school are ready for fresh achievement and enjoyment. Or are they? School is a major part of a child’s life, so how can parents make sure their children are well prepared to get maximum enjoyment and benefit from the hours they spend there? One way is to enhance learning ability by applying the knowledge of Ayurveda. Ayurveda describe three aspects of mental ability: dhi (acquisition or learning), dhriti, (retention), and smriti (recall ability). When these three mental functions are balanced, a child s mind is quick and bright. When not balanced, either individually or in their coordination with each another, learning difficulties can occur. Learning disorders and their effects—ADHD, socialising and self-esteem Children with learning difficulties often feel like failures at school, which can lead to frustration , low self-esteem and related behavioural problems. There is already concern about a range of problem behaviours associated with poor attention span . These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity , as well as inattentiveness. Such behaviours often prevent children from learning and socialising well and are called ADHD or hyperkinetic disorder. Conventional medicine considers the causes to be the child’s temperament, heredity, brain injuries at or before birth, family stress and educational difficulties, and recommends supplements such as Omega 3 fish oils. Ayurveda approaches this problem from a different perspective and offers a range of procedures to improve mental functioning. ‘Intelligence’ in food—Diet is most important Ayurveda points out that digestive impurities can obstruct the channels of communication between the three mental functions of acquisition, attention and recall and therefore gives prime importance to diet. According to Ayurveda the quality of food has a profound influence on the