The Voice of Early Childhood26 Feb 2024

Aligning learning environments with the needs of the brain

Dr Kathryn Murray talks us through the Brain-SET Environments Formula, which is all about creating a calm learning environment through a skills based pedagogy. Dr Murray explains that it is much more than where you put the furniture; she shares with us a deeper look at creating learning environments with brain development at the centre.

Some of the thought-provoking points discussed are:

00:30 - Dr Kathryn Murray's background
02:25 - The beginnings of Brain-SET
05:58 - Aesthetics of the learning environment
07:20 - Considering furniture in designing a learning environment
07:50 - Brain development as a big part in creating environments
10:00 - The environment is the 3rd teacher
12:13 - The structure of the brain
15:00 - What is 'foggy brain'?
16:00 - A calm brain is a thinking brain
17:09 - Multiple defined spaces are less threatening
19:20 - Using the language of learning
21:10 - Impacts of training in a 2-year-old room
23:50 - The brain doesn't do boring!
25:00 - Small spaces teach self-regulation/soft skills
27:15 - Decrease in behaviour issues
28:00 - Using interests to pull children into learning spaces
31:00 - Environments underpinned by research
52:58 - Freeflow rather than carouselling/rotation
36:11 - Brain-SET is a skills-based formula
37:35 - Learning ocurring naturally
38:15 - Continuous provision for repeating learning behaviours
39:50 - Carefully curating spaces to encourage skill development
42:52 - Seeing Brain-SET in action: The Astrea Academy Trust action research project

Read Dr Kathryn Murray's article and find out more about Brain-SET here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/aligning-learning-environments-with-the-needs-of-the-brain/

You can find more podcast episodes and articles on The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

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