The Framework
The Regulated Classroom© is a new somatosensory and Polyvagal-informed framework to cultivating conditions for felt safety in the classroom. Felt safety is foundational to fostering healthy relationships and academic achievement in the classroom.
The Regulated Classroom© begins with the educator's nervous system. It recognizes the significance and importance of the adult's well-being in order to enable student well-being through co-regulation.
The tools and practices of The Regulated Classroom help to heal and prevent burnout by equipping educators with the resources to recognize and bring regulation to their own nervous system— supporting engagement, connection, and learning.
- The Regulated Classroom© framework consists of 4 Core Practices (Connectors, Activators, Settlers, Affirmations) and the use of sensory tools for educators to embed into daily routines and activities in order to promote a more consistently regulated and stable environment for learning.
- The Regulated Classroom© approach includes:
- The Regulated Classroom Guidebook
- The Regulated Classroom Toolkits
- Professional Development and Coaching for Educators
The Regulated Classroom is designed around the principles of Polyvagal Theory and distilled into a paradigm that is accessible and practical for educators.
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, helps us understand the origin of behaviors. It also explains why simply learning coping skills and different behavioral choices doesn’t always lead to behavior change.
The Regulated Classroom compared to Traditional SEL
The Regulated Classroom© |
Traditional SEL |
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The Regulated Classroom© starts with the educator— establishing a foundation for co-regulation where learning can occur. |
Traditional approaches to SEL focus almost exclusively on the student and student behavior management. |
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The Regulated Classroom© acknowledges that not all behavior is a choice. That the fight, flight, or freeze response hardwired into our bodies can situationally block our ability to choose behavior. |
Traditional approaches to SEL rely on a student's ability to think rationally, assess a situation, and make choices about their behavior. |
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The Regulated Classroom© is based on tools and practices to restore calm, rational thinking by establishing felt safety. |
Traditional approaches to SEL are often curriculum-based, focused on students developing skills to assess situations and then apply learned behaviors. |
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The Regulated Classroom© is a collection of tools and practices embedded as needed in regular classroom activities and instruction time. |
Traditional approaches to SEL commonly include lesson plans presented at scheduled SEL instruction time. |
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The Regulated Classroom© is primarily informed by Polyvagal Theory, the work of leading neuroscientists and the field of occupational therapy. |
Traditional approaches to SEL are primarily informed by the field of cognitive psychology and behaviorism. |
The Regulated Classroom Guidebook
The Regulated Classroom Guidebook is a foundational tool for educators. Through clear language and artful illustrations, the book explains the principles of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the Polyvagal Theory, and the impacts of stress and trauma on the brain and the body. The Guidebook is strategically laid out to walk an educator through the 4 Core Practices of the approach.
CONNECTORS: Practices that are rooted in the therapeutic benefits of play and cultivate relationships in the classroom
ACTIVATORS: Collective rhythm-making practices grounded in the theory of regulating the brainstem and stimulating collective synchrony in the classroom
SETTLERS: Practices to calm the body’s stress response and down regulate the body.
AFFIRMATIONS: Practices that reinforce positive associations in the classroom experience.
The Regulated Classroom Educator Self-Care Toolkit
The Regulated Classroom Educator Self-Care Toolkit is a classroom resource for educators. The toolkit includes The Regulated Classroom© guidebook and a collection of high quality sensory tools and self-regulation hacks that help promote a felt sense of safety and comfort in the body. The kit is specifically designed for educators (classroom teachers, paraprofessionals/ESP’s, school counselors, school-based mental health providers, social workers, school principals).
Educators explore the items in the toolkit to determine which items work best for them in settling their body and restoring calm (felt safety).
The Regulated Classroom Educator Self-Care Toolkit is a classroom resource for educators. Each toolkit includes The Regulated Classroom© guidebook and a collection of high quality sensory tools and self-regulation hacks that help promote a felt sense of safety and comfort in the body. The kit is specifically designed for educators (classroom teachers, paraprofessionals/ESP’s, school counselors, school-based mental health providers, social workers, school principals).
Educators explore the items in the toolkit to determine which items work best for them in settling their body and restoring calm (felt safety).
We are thrilled to include the SmartWeight® scarf by CapeAble®. When worn, this luxurious and inconspicuously weighted scarf provides a settling calm to the wearer. (It’s not only soft and beautiful— it’s machine washable!)
Contents of The Regulated Classroom Educator Self-Care Toolkit:
| The Regulated Classroom Guidebook (1) Capeable™ weighted scarf (1) Capeable™ magnetic focus fidget (1) Mad Mattr™ (5) Mesh and marble fidget (3) Koosh balls (1) Massage roller ball |
(3) Squishy stress balls (2) Essential oils (5) Stretch noodles (3) Resistance spiky rings (2) Monkey foam Calming tea |
Dimensions:
- With handle extended: 13” long X 10.5” deep X 13” high
- With handle folded flat: 13” long X 10.5” deep X 8” high
The Regulated Classroom Guidebook
(1) Capeable™ weighted scarf
(1) Capeable™ magnetic focus fidget
(1) Mad Mattr™
(5) Mesh and marble fidget
(3) Koosh balls
(1) Massage roller ball
(3) Squishy stress balls
(2) Essential oils
(5) Stretch noodles
(3) Resistance spiky rings
(2) Monkey foam
Calming tea
Total Toolkit Weight: 7.53lbs
Dimensions:
With handle extended: 13” long X 10.5” deep X 13” high
With handle folded flat: 13” long X 10.5” deep X 8” high
Carrying Case Material: Corrugated cardboard
The Regulated Classroom Professional Development
Learning and experiencing Polyvagal Theory and how it is reflected in The Regulated Classroom is key to advancing cultural change in your school.
Learn more