The Importance of Light for the Hyperactive Child

Full spectrum lighting has been shown to reduce hyperactivity in school-aged children and increase learning abilities and overall health. This research by Dr. John Ott shows the importance of natural sunlight exposure for children, especially children experiencing hyperactivity or ADHD.

The Importance of Light for the Hyperactive Child

The results were significant. In cool-white fluorescent light, some students demonstrated hyperactivity, fatigue, irritability, and attention deficits.

In contrast, in another class, behavior, and as well as overall academic achievement, showed marked improvement within one month after full spectrum lighting was installed.

Furthermore, several learning disabled students with extreme hyperactivity problems miraculously calmed down, and seemed to overcome some of their learning and reading problems, while in the classrooms with full spectrum lighting.

Who is Looking After Our Kids?

The Importance of Light for the Hyperactive Child:

One of the more neglected areas in care of the child involves lack of exposure to natural sunlight and poor quality indoor lighting. The latter often consists of cool-white fluorescent lights in schools and day care centers. The cool-white fluorescent tubes put out a limited color spectrum in contrast to full spectrum fluorescent tubes or, of course, natural sunlight.

The importance of full spectrum lighting was demonstrated in 1973 by John Ott, a leading pioneer in the field of lighting. He conducted an experiment in which he compared the effects of full spectrum lighting with cool-white fluorescent lighting on students in separate classrooms in Sarasota, Florida. Concealed, time-lapse cameras recorded sequences of student activity. The results were significant. In cool-white fluorescent light, some students demonstrated hyperactivity, fatigue, irritability, and attention deficits. In contrast, in another class, behavior, and as well as overall academic achievement, showed marked improvement within one month after full spectrum lighting was installed . Furthermore, several learning-disabled students with extreme hyperactivity problems miraculously calmed down, and seemed to overcome some of their learning and reading problems, while in the classrooms with full spectrum lighting. (1)

We tend to think of air, food, and water as the three essentials for life. We forget there could be no life on earth without sunlight. Although our knowledge in this area is in a very early stage, indirect sun rays come through the eyes and affect the pineal gland and its production of melatonin. This in turn affects or governs the hypothalamus and through the hypothalamus the endocrine systems of the body. (2)

As a basic guideline, it is desirable for everyone to spend at least one hour per day out- of-doors, but it is especially important for children to do so.

References

1. Lieberman J. Light, Medicine of the Future. Santa Fe, NM: Bear & Co.1991:58
2. Lieberman J. Light, Medicine of the Future. Santa Fe, NM: Bear & Co. 1991 :Chap 2,10

Source: http://www.full-spectrum-lighting.com/durotest/Hyperactive%20Children.htm

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Tags: ADHD, hyperactivity, Jacob Lieberman, John Ott, learning