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 in 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.