UNDERSTANDNG THE NEUROSCIENCE

Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory was first developed by Stephen Porges in 1994. This theory has helped revolutionize many fields, such as education, parenting, coaching, therapy, and sports (psychology and physiology). The linked resources promote this body-based theory, providing an in-depth understanding of our autonomic nervous system and the three states that we (as humans) can be in at any one time: Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic and Dorsal Vagal. Polyvagal Theory has three organising principles: Hierarchy, Neuroception and Co-Regulation. The advantage of understanding Polyvagal Theory is that it does shift the lens on how we understand and view behaviour in the classroom-a physiological or internal body-response to stress. Central to this stress response is the tenth cranial nerve, Vagus Nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. It intersects with key organs of the body, such as the heart and lungs.

For a deeper dive into Polyvagal Theory see the links below.

The Polyvagal Theory
The Polyvagal Theory, first published in 2011, is a seminal text by Stephen Porges. It encapsulates decades of his scientific research which can be applied to treat not just trauma (stored in the body), but also anxiety and depression. See more

Polyvagal Safety
Polyvagal Safety is the second compilation by Stephen Porges-based on his ongoing research, since the publication of The Polyvagal Theory, in 2011. Porges highlights the importance of safety with other people. Polyvagal Safety was written during the Covid-19 Pandemic. He uses this significant global health challenge-with multiple Lockdowns- as a societal response, that is most challenging to our human autonomic system. He argues that connecting safely with others is our “biological imperative”-we are social beings and crave the contact of others. (During the pandemic this was seriously compromised). Porges argues that our cognitive evaluations or perceptions of our environment with regards to whether there is safety or threat-are secondary evaluations-and are less important. This is because our nervous system responds automatically to safety or threat-beyond our consciousness.

Understanding ACEs with Dr Nadine Burke Harris
Sarah Butler provides a clear description of Polyvagal Theory and how it can support students who are emotionally dysregulated at school. Butler provides a range of activities that can be easily applied in the classroom setting. There are also a range of activities within the book that educators can reflect on their own practice.

Deb em Wilson works as an educational consultant and provides educators with a range of Polyvagal Theory-guided strategies. Wilson argues that when educators understand the human nervous system and its stress responses, they are in a better position to help students build resilience, adaptability and flexibility which are qualities required for social, emotional and academic success. The book is filled with plenty of anecdotes, metaphors, and diagrams that support written explanations that are easy to understand. Deb em Wilson also has an excellent website, with a range of school-based activities-with a distinct Polyvagal Theory lens: https://www.schoolmoves.com

This is a seminal article by Stephen Porges, developer of Polyvagal Theory, in 1994. A word of warning-it is full of scientific concepts and explanations and may require some repeat reading as a way to understand what has been written! A strong recommendation is this article is read once you have accessed and experienced the other Polyvagal Theory resources outlined on the website.

Deb Dana, in her own right, is a leader in the Polyvagal Theory field and works closely with Stephen Porges. She is a Social Worker Therapist. She has simplified Porges’s work and distilled it into everyday language where most of us can understand! It is well worth reading her article, A Beginner’s Guide to Polyvagal Theory. In this article, she explains the Autonomic Nervous System made up of two branches: parasympathetic and sympathetic. She then succinctly outlines the Autonomic Ladder-a crucial concept for educators to know around body stress response.

An informative article that explains Polyvagal Theory. This article explains how the mammalian nervous system evolved. The theory combines evolutionary biology and neurology. A central nerve in the human nervous system is the Vagus Nerve which is the 10th cranial nerve and the longest nerve in our body. This article makes detailed reference to this nerve, which intersects many of the important systems of the body, such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive. This article also drills-down on two of the three principles of Polyvagal Theory: neuroception (our ability to sense cues of safety and danger from our environment) and co-regulation, which is promoting an attuned relationship with others so they feel safe and connected. Co-regulation is also about adults (kaiako/kaiawhina) completing a self-management strategy with/alongside ākonga, that involves rhythm and repetition. Co-regulation is the prerequisite to self-regulation-and this fact is not well-known or considered by educators. Understanding neuroception and co-regulation is also important for educators to know and implement, as it aligns with physiological responses to behaviour-focusing on what is happening inside our body, at any given time.

Mathew Portell, who is a school principal and an internationally renowned podcaster in the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) podcast space (Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast), talks to Emily Read Daniels on Polyvagal Theory and Regulated Classroom. Read Daniels has a professional background as an educator and counsellor. Read Daniels argues that Polyvagal Theory is a new paradigm with regards to viewing behaviour and is an important and transformational theory for all educators to know.

Deb Dana

This video is an excellent introduction to Polyvagal Theory, and includes an explanation of the Autonomic Ladder. The ladder is a sequential ladder-this means we cannot jump from the top rung (Ventral Vagal) down to the bottom rung (Dorsal Vagal) (and vice versa). At any one time, our nervous system can be in a “blended” state. Dana provides simplistic explanations that are regularly presented in the video. Notice her calm, melodic voice-very soothing!

What is the Polyvagal Theory is a video promoted by a clinical psychologist, Dr Lola Perez-Gavino, that describes the essential basics of the theory. Educators understanding the autonomic (Polyvagal) hierarchy/Ladder, is most important. This hierarchy, the third principle of Polyvagal Theory, is succinctly outlined in this visually-appealing video, in the form of an autonomic ladder. This ladder was first proposed by Deb Dana, a Social Worker therapist, who has worked closely with Stephen Porges. She has successfully been able to simplify his (often detailed) scientific theory into practical application!

This video promotes a Polyvagal lens and provides additional information around trauma and drills-down on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). It also reinforces the principles of Polyvagal Theory: co-regulation and neuroception.

The physiological sigh is currently the gold standard in breathing techniques. This has been proven in research in neurobiology laboratories in the United States (e.g. Yale, UCLA). In quantitative measures, it outstrips other well known techniques, such as Box or Square Breathing. You will be “blown-away” by the in-depth, but easy to understand neurobiology information by Dr. Andrew Huberman, Neuroscientist, that you can promote with kaiako and kaiawhina, in your role as RTLB. The advantage of this technique is that it is easy to perform in real-time and only takes about 1 minute to perform! It also helps us regulate!

An informative article that explains Polyvagal Theory. This article explains how the mammalian nervous system evolved. The theory combines evolutionary biology and neurology. A central nerve in the human nervous system is the Vagus Nerve which is the 10th cranial nerve and the longest nerve in our body. This article makes detailed reference to this nerve, which intersects many of the important systems of the body, such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive. This article also drills-down on two of the three principles of Polyvagal Theory: neuroception (our ability to sense cues of safety and danger from our environment) and co-regulation, which is promoting an attuned relationship with others so they feel safe and connected. Co-regulation is also about adults (kaiako/kaiawhina) completing a self-management strategy with/alongside ākonga, that involves rhythm and repetition. Co-regulation is the prerequisite to self-regulation-and this fact is not well-known or considered by educators. Understanding neuroception and co-regulation is also important for educators to know and implement, as it aligns with physiological responses to behaviour-focusing on what is happening inside our body, at any given time.

Mathew Portell, who is a school principal and an internationally renowned podcaster in the Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) podcast space (Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast), talks to Emily Read Daniels on Polyvagal Theory and Regulated Classroom. Read Daniels has a professional background as an educator and counsellor. Read Daniels argues that Polyvagal Theory is a new paradigm with regards to viewing behaviour and is an important and transformational theory for all educators to know.

Deb Dana

This video is an excellent introduction to Polyvagal Theory, and includes an explanation of the Autonomic Ladder. The ladder is a sequential ladder-this means we cannot jump from the top rung (Ventral Vagal) down to the bottom rung (Dorsal Vagal) (and vice versa). At any one time, our nervous system can be in a “blended” state. Dana provides simplistic explanations that are regularly presented in the video. Notice her calm, melodic voice-very soothing!