The brain is in our most influential learning stage from ages 0-6. It is here that the majority of our subconscious mind and it's beliefs are formed (the beliefs are then either solidified or rejected as we continue through life).

From ages 0-6, we are experiencing the world with an open heart and mind. We trust explicitly our parents reactions to the world and we begin to take on our parents own subconscious beliefs.

We are a sponge with no reasoning ability as yet. So everything we are told and shown is logged. Repetition confirms these feelings.

Our subconscious observes our parents and the experience within our family & takes note of:

• Are we safe?
• Are we paid attention to? (i.e. are we worthy/ connected)
• Is it ok to make mistakes & what happens if we do?( i.e are we accepted?)
• Do we have any influence over our own selves/lives? (i.e. do we have power?)

Beliefs form when emotions arise and the subconscious brain decides that we are to be protected against feeling this way - it is too stressful and we don't have the ability to process this big emotion.

For example: A small child starts daycare and feels overwhelmed and scared. It hasn't been shown through example how to find comfort (i.e. mum and dad don't allow vulnerability with each other for comfort). This emotion becomes too much, so in order to protect the self and find a sense of balance again, a belief is formed. (I am not safe/not protected in unfamiliar environments).

From age 7, our analytical self-consciousness starts to begin and we confirm these beliefs within our social groups. Are we safe/connected/powerful/what makes us worthy?

Then throughout teenage years we reassess again with our families & our peers. We attempt to replicate and push to confirm these beliefs.

When in therapy sessions with an adult, there is usually a pattern of confirmed subconscious beliefs - early childhood, age 7-9 and then age 14-16. Events may have replicated and we take on the response of others as our own identity.

When we accept "what others think of us is none of our business" & "it wasn't your fault", our emotions are allowed to release and the belief dissolves, relieving us of the identity that others have given us.

THE ROLE PARENTS PLAY:

In todays society parents are much more aware of the impact that emotions have on the health of children. Children are no longer "seen but not heard". They are nurtured on every level.

At the same time, childhood seems far more complex these days! There are far more responsibilities and less time/space to process emotionally.

Parents will bring their children in to see a Kinesiologist for many different reasons. The most common being that there is a physical issue that is either made worse when emotions are heightened or triggered by an emotional event. Kinesiology really is useful at linking health together on a holistic level!

If we can help a child to process events in their lives, their subconscious finds more peace and their health improves.

BRINGING UP EMOTIONS WITH THE CHILD AND THE PARENTS:

When finding an emotion or event I like to leave space for interpretation and open discussion.

For example: say "Red Helmet Orchid" came up as an essence which is issues around father/authority figures. I would ask " how does .... get along with Dad?" rather than "do you have an issue with authority figures?"