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,
Santa Fe, NM: Bear & Co. 1991 :Chap 2,10
