Peace, Bread, Land

What allows students to learn in comfort can be varied. If a student is happy and confident they will be able to focus on tasks with more energy. Notwithstanding the usual teen issues – are the basics all falling in favour of the learner? When Lenin was trying to persuade a raging Russian populace to follow him into a communist utopia he declared the slogan - Peace, Bread, Land. That didn't work for 70 years of the USSR, but his ideas might work for teenagers.

No more sugar…Bread

Food is absolutely vital. Without square meals and good food getting in your system you are going to either feel disconnected and distracted or if like me, you’ll start to feel the pangs and grumblings of an empty or upset stomach and the anger that swiftly follows. Eat well and eat regularly and you have a pattern around which your day is formed.  Just as bad is eating crap. Too much carbohydrate and you get bloated or spije your insulin, too much coffee and you risk severe caffeine addiction, too much sugar and kiss goodbye to your teeth or wait for the shakes and shivers. Eat well and you can expect to see your concentration high and your mood soar.

Give them room…Land

Space needs to be sacrosanct. Students need a place to learn and they need a place to be a teen. Separate the bedroom and where they get their work done. Maybe give them the kitchen table, a dining room if you are lucky enough to have one. Let them have their own space as well, but keep their bedroom clear of TVs and the toys that draw them away from the much needed hours of shuteye.

Go to bed…Peace

Sleep can be fickle. Teens need sleep, they need it bad. Take away the hours in the sack and you have a brain ill prepared for the day ahead. Get them fed and watered and in bed before today turns into tomorrow and they have a chance of getting themselves in the right frame of mind. Too much time spent online or staring at the screen (says the blogger!) will drain them overnight.

An army will march on its stomach; but for todays students a good meal, a space to call their own and a decent night’s sleep are the basis for success. 

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