Polyvagal Theory provides a breakdown of how the nervous system responds and reacts to unconscious messages of safety and threat. This accessible guide explores Polyvagal Theory and its potential for fully understanding and supporting the behaviours of children and young people in emotional distress at school.
By exploring how early childhood experiences - such as abuse, trauma, an insecure attachment, or bereavement - can have a detrimental impact on the development of the child’s nervous system, we can view their behaviours in a new light.
Polyvagal Theory in the Classroom:
- Contains a wealth of activities to use in the classroom
- Delves into new understandings of what is happening to children and young people when they become dysregulated
- Introduces practical ways to support pupils' emotional wellbeing, promote better mental health, and help to develop their capacity to self-regulate
- Contains exercises which provide opportunities for the reader to reflect on their own practice.
Packed full of case studies to bring theory to life, this book builds skills to gain awareness and control of our own nervous systems and to become the safe and calm presence for the overwhelmed child. This empowering book is essential reading for mainstream primary and secondary teachers, SENCOs and teaching support staff.
By:
Sarah Butler
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 174mm,
ISBN: 9781032500270
ISBN 10: 1032500271
Pages: 154
Publication Date: 17 July 2024
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Introduction Part 1: Understanding Polyvagal Theory Chapter 1 - What is Polyvagal Theory? Background The Central Nervous System The Autonomic Nervous System The Evolution of the Brain The Sympathetic Nervous System The Parasympathetic Nervous System The Vagus Nerve Ventral Vagal Nerve Dorsal Vagal Nerve The Three Autonomic States Blended States (Dual Activation) Signs of Threat and Signs of Safety Emotional Regulation Summary Chapter 2 – Polyvagal Theory and Child Development Piaget – Cognitive Development Theory Erikson – Psychosocial Development Theory Vygotsky – Sociocultural Theory Bowlby – Attachment Theory Other Ideas about Child Development – Klein and Winnicott Pulling The Ideas Together Summary Chapter 3 – Polyvagal Theory and Childhood Trauma Defining Trauma Early Trauma and Brain Development The Biased ANS Hormones Connection – Protection Summary Chapter 4 – Seeing your pupils through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory The Meaning of Behaviour Self-Regulation, Co-regulation and Dysregulation Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic Neurodevelopmental Conditions Tracking Autonomic States Renaming the Autonomic States Summary Chapter 5 – Getting to know your Autonomic Nervous System ANS Tracking Body and Breath Regulation through Rhythm Sensory Soothing Mindful Moments Brain workouts and Being your Best Friend Calming Creativity The Power of Pets Summary Chapter 6 – Calming the Dysregulated Child Be Safe: Removing the threat Feel Safe: Tuning in to your own ANS Connect: Body Tracking, Breathing, Moving Summary Chapter 7 – A Whole School Approach The Current Climate School as a Container Safety Starts at the Top The Ventral Vagal Net Transitions Trauma-Informed, Attachment Aware, and other Approaches Summary Part 2: Using Polyvagal Theory with Pupils 1. Warm-ups 2. Creating a Safe Space – Boundary Setting 3. Psychoeducation 4. Self-awareness 5. Connecting to the Body 6. Connecting to Others 7. Self-soothing 8. The Connection Diet Summary Final Thoughts Glossary References Index
Sarah Butler is a child and adolescent therapist, offering bespoke guidance on therapeutic approaches to managing the behaviours of children who have experienced trauma, bereavement, abuse and/or insecure attachments. Sarah is also an experienced teacher, having worked in mainstream secondary schools and alternative provisions, including more than a decade teaching in a hospital school within an adolescent psychiatric unit, where she developed and delivered mental health awareness training to local schools and trainee teachers.
