Body and Brain Brilliance - Lori Desautels

When adults become aware of their nervous systems, they can recognize their emotional triggers or activators, sense the dysregulation in their bodies and brains, and respond accordingly. This allows adults to lean into curiosity when encountering a dysregulated child, empowering them to respond with compassion and connection over control, escalation, and compliance.

Body and Brain Brilliance, a neuro-educational manual for social and emotional development embracing all ages, as well as educator nervous systems, will address the science and the language of our nervous systems as educators and students learn together. Our nervous systems are continually storing, metabolizing, and conserving energy, which is why it is so critical to integrate neuroeducational practices into our schools now. When our nervous system reserves are low to empty, we observe and discipline behaviors that we label aggressive, defiant, or apathetic, to name a few. Still, we miss the dysregulation and pain beneath behaviors, which is what the Body and Brain Brilliance will address.

This manual and accompanying modules will provide mini-activities with relational and preventative practices as we prepare adults and students to get out in front of experiences that feel unsafe and isolating, thereby creating negative behaviors. Our nervous system is social, and when we address emotional regulation, these practices are about healthy bi-directional communication between adults and youth, even when we are disciplining, and especially when we are disciplining.