The Polyvagal Path to Joyful Learning: Transforming Classrooms One Nervous System at a Time

Download or read book The Polyvagal Path to Joyful Learning: Transforming Classrooms One Nervous System at a Time written by Debra Em Wilson and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2023-02-14 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The optimal state for learning is one of safety, connection, motivation, and engagement. Every student and teacher is different, but there’s one thing each has in common: a responsive nervous system ready for action. Whether it’s a fight breaking out on the playground, a difficult conversation with a parent, or an impromptu fire drill, understanding how the nervous system responds can help keep teachers and students on an even keel. Polyvagal Theory (PVT) has had a tremendous impact on the mental health field, shedding light on how the nervous system predictably moves between different states in response to changing situations. School consultant Debra Em Wilson introduces PVT to educators and shows how using PVT-guided strategies can help create optimal learning environments. When school staff understand the role of the nervous system in learning, they can better help students develop the skills leading to increased resilience, adaptability, and flexibility: essential qualities for social, emotional, and academic success.