Future of Education Podcast S2E330: The Secret to Solving Behavioral Issues at School
May 8, 2026
Alyssa Blask Campbell, co-author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and expert in nervous-system-informed strategies, joins to explore why behaviors reflect biology. They cover the four nervous system reactions and the power of adult regulation. Practical shifts at school and home, plus building kids' self-awareness, are highlighted in short, actionable conversations.
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Let Kids Complete Their Own Sensory Profiles
- Do involve kids in assessing their own sensory profile as they grow.
- Alyssa recommends classes where students fill out the nine-senses questionnaire to learn what drains or recharges them and improve self-understanding.
Four Nervous System Reactions Explain Behavior
- Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn are four distinct nervous system reactions that explain different challenging behaviors.
- Recognizing a child's default reaction (e.g., physical hitting = fight) reframes behavior as biology, not choice.
Teach Body Signals Before Calming Tools
- Do build self-awareness before teaching coping tools.
- Alyssa recommends helping a child notice bodily signs (e.g., what embarrassment feels like) so they can use known calming tools when the volcano is rising.
