Polyvagal Theory – Application for Children
- Foundational Principles and features
- Applying Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Practice
Harnessing your Social Engagement System
- How to Reset when Compromised by Stress and Trauma
- Elicit Trust - Voice, Rhythm, Racial Expressions, Touch
- Exercises that hone in on various vocal qualities
- Create and maintain an open facial expression with defensive children
- Strategies to incorporate safe touch
Playfulness and Paradox to Suspend Defensiveness
- Surprise the brain of a defensive child with novel responses to:
- Grab attention
- Down-regulate sympathetic activation
- Interrupt automatic defensiveness
- Generate curiosity
Movement and Breathing Exercises to Create Connection
- Ventral vagal activities for open and engaged state
- Promote attachment behavior
- Dorsal vagal activities to pendulate between arousal and relaxation
- Rhythmic activities for maintaining regulation
- Counteracting shut down, guarded or angry behavior (responses)


