In Ayurveda, a traditional health system, your child’s tendencies and preferences are reflections of different body types. And the latest understanding of brain development gives valuable insights into what your child is capable of at different ages. The two together—ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience—define what I refer to in my book Dharma Parenting as brain/body types. They are easily distracted, especially if they’re out of balance, so they may lose their focus and make mistakes or wander off before they finish a task. If you’re stumped on what dosha type your child is, taking this quick quiz for them can provide some clarity. A Vata type’s digestion is often not very strong, so they should eat dinner at least two or three hours before bed. Otherwise, their metabolism will stay high because they’re still digesting dinner, and this may keep them from falling asleep. If there’s a cold spring rainstorm, maintain balance with warm, light, and spicy foods: hot soup, enchiladas, ginger cookies. High noon in the summer demands cooling foods: gazpacho soup, lemonade, fresh fruit for dessert. Next, consider whether one child is under a little more pressure than the others. Is there a dance recital, math test, or important ballgame tomorrow? Or maybe one child is fighting off a cold? Those extra demands make them more vulnerable, so choose a menu that supports that child’s brain/body type for a couple of days. More than any other type, Vatas need a solid routine at bedtime. Begin early with a warm, soothing bath; use Vata pacifying aroma oils; read an uplifting and calming story; play soft music. Do everything you can to create a quiet and enticing environment before you even try to get your Vata child to sleep. The only problem may be that their active intellect may want to figure out how the entire universe functions before they close their eyes. So stop any intense TV, games, and schoolwork well before bedtime, or they may wake up full of energy in the middle of the night. One technique that works well is to tell the Pitta child a long, involved, tedious bedtime story in which almost nothing happens. This captures their attention but gives nothing for their lively mind to engage with, so they can settle down to sleep. One problem with this type is getting them up in the morning. Entice them out of that warm, comfy bed with a yummy breakfast or a fun activity. Kapha types love to help, so try asking them to help you cook that yummy breakfast. He earned an MS and PhD in Psychology from Maharishi International University, and a BS in Design and Environmental Analysis from Cornell University.
