Dr Bruce Perry, a pioneering neuroscientist in the field of trauma, has shown us that to help a vulnerable child to learn, think and reflect, we need to intervene in a simple sequence.
REGULATE
First: We must help the child to regulate and calm their fight/flight/freeze responses.
RELATE
Second: We must relate and connect with the child through an attuned and sensitive relationship.
REASON
Third: We can support the child to reflect, learn, remember, articulate and become self-assured.
Heading straight for the 'reasoning' part of the brain with an expectation of learning, will not work so well if the child is dysregulated and disconnected from others