Episode 6 - The Therapeutic Classroom Revolution with Shahana Knight

In this episode, Shahana Knight, an award-winning childhood trauma and behaviour specialist and director of TPC and Therapeutic Classrooms, discusses what happens when we put emotional wellbeing at the heart of the classroom. Shahana explains how her work is viewed through a trauma-informed lens, focusing on understanding the stress behind a child's behaviour. She details her journey in creating Therapeutic Classrooms, environments designed to calm the brain, reduce stress hormones, and help children regulate. The conversation covers the challenge of moving away from outdated, overwhelming classroom designs and presents compelling evidence on the impact of this radical change on children's academic and emotional outcomes.

Find out more about Shahana’s Sharing is Caring Recommendation here:

• Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt



Find out more about Shahana’s work here:

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Read Shahana’s therapeutic school approach book: ⁠Here⁠

Visit the therapeutic classrooms store: ⁠HERE⁠

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Takeaways

• Wellbeing and mental health are crucial to understanding and addressing classroom behaviour.
• A trauma-informed perspective is key to seeing a child's actions as a response to stress, not defiance.
• Therapeutic Classrooms use science and environment (soft seating, low lighting, decluttering) to help children regulate and feel safe.
• The classroom environment should feel nurturing and comfortable, like a home, to foster a sense of belonging and safety.
• Understanding the "why" behind this radical change—the neuroscience—is more important than simply achieving a nice aesthetic.
• Successful therapeutic approaches lead to reduced dysregulation, improved behaviour, and greater academic achievement.
• Leadership needs to be brave enough to challenge outdated practices and the myth that traditional displays or rigid seating are required for learning.
• Flexible seating and regulation tools (like blankets and weighted teddies) support movement, which the brain needs for learning.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Shahana Knight
• 00:59 The Journey to Creating Therapeutic Classrooms
• 03:59 The Trauma-Informed and Holistic Perspective
• 09:39 The Challenge of Outdated Classroom Design
• 10:21 The Big Ask and Rethinking the Classroom
• 14:50 Challenges: Standards and Sourcing Furniture
• 17:53 Why Cheap Alternatives are Not Safe or Sustainable
• 19:54 The Importance of Understanding the "Why" (Neuroscience)
• 22:30 The Issue of Adult Control and Confidence
• 25:39 Fear of Change and External Challenges (e.g., Ofsted)
• 26:59 Measuring the Impact: Academic and Emotional Wellbeing
• 37:30 Crucial Role of Trauma-Informed Practice
• 38:34 Quick, Doable Tips for a Safe Space (Lighting, Decluttering)

44:37 Sharing is Caring Recommendation: The Anxious Generation