Regulate – Am I Safe?
Before We Teach, We Regulate: Why Safety Comes First in Learning
Children can't learn until they feel safe.
Dr. Bruce Perry’s neurosequential model teaches us that a regulated brain is the foundation for all learning and relational growth. For educators and school staff, this means that emotional regulation isn't a ‘nice to have’ — it's the bedrock of any meaningful connection or restorative work.
When a child is in distress, the reasoning part of the brain (the cortex) is offline. Trying to talk them through their behaviour or jump into problem-solving won’t work. Instead, we need to start with the body and the nervous system. Is the child safe? Is the adult calm? Have we provided tools to help bring their body back to a place of regulation?
Perry reminds us that one of the most effective ways to calm another person is to show up with a grounded, calm presence. This is because of emotional contagion—our nervous systems sync with those around us. If a child is in distress and we meet them with frustration or urgency, their nervous system picks up on it. But if we stay steady, they begin to co-regulate with us. This is why staff well-being is not a luxury—it’s essential. If we expect educators to help young people regulate, we need to ensure they feel supported, too.
Key practices include:
Building in calming routines throughout the day
Teaching regulation strategies when children are already calm
Creating sensory-safe spaces
Prioritising adult well-being, so we can show up calm for our students.
Recommended Resources
Understanding and Supporting Regulation in the Classroom by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust - This guide offers an excellent overview of regulation from a sensory and relational lens. It includes practical strategies for identifying signs of dysregulation, co-regulation tips, and simple sensory interventions. A valuable tool for any educator looking to create a more trauma-informed and supportive learning environment.
Beacon House Trauma Informed Multi-Agency Working Resource Pack. - The Beacon House Resource Pack provides valuable guidance on trauma-informed care and collaboration across agencies, helping professionals align with important regulations like the Children’s Homes Regulations. It’s also jammed packed with activities and resources to help brains come back online and regulate.
Once safety is in place, the next step is connection—because after the brain asks Am I safe?, it wants to know Do I belong? We’ll explore that in next week’s post on the power of relational presence.