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By Katrina Scampini, Certified Aromatherapist
Now that the school year has finally started, many parents may be wondering what they can do to set their kids up for success. Whether they’re in first grade or twelveth, we want our children going into their classrooms happy, healthy, and ready to learn!

Sometimes, our children have struggles beyond their peers. Essential oils are great support for so many ailments we battle each day – from our mood to physical discomforts and everything in between! But did you know these amazing all-natural oils can also provide relief for symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, or ADHD? If your child struggles with his or her ability to focus for required amounts of time, demonstrates consistent impulsive behavior, and has difficulty staying organized, essential oils may be wonderful support during school.

If you’re interested in learning more about essential oils and ADHD, check out this blog. It provides a more in-depth look at how essential oils can help and which specific oils are known to be most effective.

Here, we will discuss how to use these amazing essential oils in a way that is safe, practical, and effective for your child while they are in school.

1. Let Your Child Take Charge of Their Own Inhaler.

This is a perfect way to use an aromatherapy inhaler. It’s a small, convenient, and inexpensive way for your child to use aromatherapy as a tool to support their individual needs. First, decide on a single oil (such as: Chamomile Roman, Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood, and Frankincense) or blend of oils (create your own or use our A+ Attention) to use in your child’s inhaler.

If possible and based on their own abilities, have your child help you add the oils and assemble the inhaler. Including them in this process will help give your child a sense of ownership and responsibility for their new inhaler.

Together, practice using it correctly. Teach your child how to remove the outside sleeve of the inhaler and take a few slow, intentional breaths with the inhaler close to their nose. Then cap tightly to close.

Remind your child that their inhaler is a tool, not a toy. It is not meant to be played with or shared with anyone.

2. Bringing It Into the Classroom.

This is important. Just like most schools keep medications under lock and key, they may likely want to do the same thing with an aromatherapy inhaler. This is done for the safety of all the students so it would be very ill-advised to allow your child into a classroom with an inhaler without first consulting with the school’s administration.

Each school has their own protocol regarding this – your child’s school may want the inhaler to stay at the front office, with the school’s nurse, the resource or general teacher, the school counselor, etc.

It’s important to communicate to your child’s school about the purpose of their inhaler and what you hope it will accomplish. Educators, like parents, also want all their students to be successful and will likely appreciate your engagement with them about your particular child’s needs.

Actively involving the school’s staff and teaching your child to follow their rules is key to getting the most effective use out of their aromatherapy inhaler.

3. Stay Engaged.

Open up the lines of communication between yourself and child’s teacher(s). Talk with them regularly and ask questions often.

Is your child using the inhaler? How often? Is it making an observable difference in their behavior? Do they have regular access to their inhaler as needed? Are they taking advantage of using their inhaler as a way to avoid classwork (hopefully not!)? Are they using it at all? These are just some very valid questions to ask.

4. Every child and every situation is different!

Unfortunately, there is not a cut and dry answer to supporting behavioral issues that arise from diagnosed disorders or otherwise. It’s a learning process.

Stay engaged, willing to adapt, and open to communication from everyone involved! This will help support your child through the challenges they face in school so they can be happy, healthy, and ready to learn!