Explaining the Safe and Sound Protocol and Polyvagal theory for children

Since we also help many children and adolescents, I have written an explanation of Polyvagal theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol for them. I have tried to keep it as easy and accessible as possible.

Your nervous system has a superpower!

Did you know that your nervous system has a superpower? Yes, you read that right! Our nervous system is capable of incredible things, and the polyvagal theory was created to explain it all. This cool theory was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. And gives a glimpse into how our nervous system works. And how it's important to interact with other people. And what it does when we worry about something.

Understanding the polyvagal theory can serve you well because it helps you understand yourself better. And how you connect with all the people around you and yourself. So let's look further into the special world of polyvagal theory. And discover why it is so important for people.

Let's start at the beginning!

All right, my friend! Today we are going to take a look at polyvagal theory. But before we do, let's start at the beginning and understand the basics. What is the polyvagal theory? Well, it is a theory developed by the super smart Dr. Stephen Porges that helps us understand the incredible powers of our nervous system.

The boss of our body

Our nervous system is like the boss of our body. It is in charge of everything we do, from moving our arms and legs to feeling emotions. (emotions tell you whether you're happy or angry) It's like a big factory full of little electrical wires, sending messages back and forth to make sure everything is working properly. And you know what? Polyvagal theory explains how this amazing factory helps us coexist well with the world around us.

Explanation of Polyvagal

The word polyvagal may sound a little complicated. But don't worry, I'll explain it to you. "Poly" means many, and "vagal" is a large nerve (the vagus nerve), which is like the superstar of our nervous system. This important nerve has two parts. They work together to regulate our heartbeat, breathing and the digestion of our food. And they make us feel happy or not so happy. Isn't that very special?

Different properties

Now, let's move on. The polyvagal theory tells us that our nervous system has several properties. Think of a superhero with several powers. The first power is called the "fight or flight mode." When we are in this state, our heart beats faster, our breathing quickens and our muscles tighten. It is as if our body is getting ready to run away from danger or fight it!

Break force

The second force is called the pause force. It is as if a superhero becomes very tired and needs a break. In this state, our body slows down and we may feel sleepy or disconnected from the world. It is as if our body is saying, "I need a break, please!"

Friends Power

But this is where it gets really interesting. The super smart scientist Porges discovered that our nervous system also has a third force, which he called the "social engagement" force.

I will call that the friend power from now on to keep it a little easier for you.

This is the greatest superpower of our nervous system. When we are in this power, our body feels nice and relaxed. We feel safe and nice with other people. And we can talk well with them about anything we want. It's like being in superhero mode and all is well!

What's in it for you?

Now you may be wondering, why should we care about this? Well, understanding polyvagal theory can help us understand our emotions and reactions. It can help us understand why we sometimes feel anxious or not so nice. And that we are alone in the world. And more importantly, it can give us super powers to help our nervous system. And so turn on that friend power!

Come, then together we will continue to explore polyvagal theory. We're going to learn a lot more. And we're going to discover how it fits very well with something called the Safe and Sound Protocol.

How Polyvagal theory helps understand our reactions

Okay, now that we know more about the different forces of our nervous system. Can we start looking at how polyvagal theory helps us understand our reactions. You know, like why you might feel scared, sad or angry sometimes.

The secret of how you feel

The polyvagal theory is like a magic key that reveals the secret of our emotions (how you feel). It helps us understand why we react the way we do in certain situations. Remember how we talked about the fight or flight force? Well, sometimes our body goes into this force even when there is no real danger. It is then a kind of false alarm.

Feeling fear

For example, imagine you are walking in the park and you see a large dog running toward you. Your heart starts racing, your breathing gets faster and you feel scared. That's your body going into fight or flight mode, ready to protect you from the dog.

But what if you are in class and you feel the same fear? Your heart races, you start sweating and you feel like something bad is about to happen. That's your body going into fight or flight mode even when there is no real danger. It is then startled by something that is actually not scary at all.

Protect against a great danger

So why does this happen? Well, the polyvagal theory helps us understand that our bodies can react in this way when we are worried about something or afraid of something. It is as if our nervous system is trying to protect us from a great danger.

Sometimes we feel sad or alone

Polyvagal theory also helps us understand why we sometimes feel sad or alone. Remember the pause force? Sometimes our body goes into this force when we feel tired or sad. It's as if our body is saying, "I need a break, please!"

For example, imagine you have a busy day at school, with lots of tests and assignments. You come home tired and exhausted. You just want to crawl into bed and forget about everything. That's your body going into break force and saying, "I need a break!"

Need a little help

Sometimes your body can also remain stuck in these forces, and then you continue to feel that you are tired or in danger. It is then very difficult for you to get out of it by yourself. You can then use some help from another superhero.

Polyvagal theory helps us understand that our body reacts in this way to protect us from too much stress. Against too much worry or if we are too scared. It's as if our body is saying, I need some time to recharge!

Why you sometimes don't feel so nice

Understanding the polyvagal theory can also help us understand why we sometimes feel anxious or nervous in situations with other people. Remember the power of friendship? Well, sometimes our body has trouble turning on this force and instead goes to the fight or flight or pause force.

For example, imagine you are at a birthday party with many people you don't know. You begin to feel uncomfortable and also somewhat shy. You don't know how to interact with other people for a while then. That is your body struggling to activate the friend power. It's as if your body is saying, "I'm not sure if it's safe to talk or play with other people or children right now."

Polyvagal theory thus helps us understand that our bodies can react differently when we meet other people. And also that it's not our fault when that doesn't work out so well for a while.

Time to get acquainted with the Safe and Sound Protocol!

Okay friend, it's time to look at something really cool, the Safe and Sound Protocol! This was specially created by that clever scientist Porges to help your nervous system. And to turn on that super friend power. Would you like to know more about that?

The Safe and Sound Protocol, or SSP for short, is a special program developed based on polyvagal theory. It uses special music to help calm your nervous system and turn on that fine social engagement mode. It is a magical tool that helps us activate our superpower!

So how does that work?

How does the SSP work? Well, it's all about the power of music. The program consists of very special specially adapted music what is made to help our nervous system. This music contains special messages for our nervous system. These messages tell our nervous system that all is well and safe. Your nervous system can then relax and go on as it should. So that it can help you as best it can. And you can also feel happy and relaxed again.

Magic brain

When we listen to this music, something amazing happens in our brain. It's like flipping a superhero's switch! The SSP helps attune our nervous system to the power of friendship. So that we feel calm, relaxed and connected to others. It is as if we are turning on our super power of kindness and joy!

Training your nervous system

But here's the coolest part. The SSP doesn't just work when we listen to the music. It also helps when we are not listening to rebuild our nervous system and make it stronger. It's like training our superpower to become even stronger!

The SSP is divided into pieces, where you listen to the special music for a number of minutes each day. Exactly as many as is best for you. It's like going to the gym to train your super strength muscles!

What's in it for you?

Now you may be wondering, what good is the Safe and Sound Protocol? Well, the SSP can be very useful for a variety of children and adults. It can be super helpful for those people who have experienced unpleasant things. And with people who have trouble talking to other people. As you understand, everyone can use help in turning on their friendship power. And to find more joy peace and connection in their lives.

It takes a while to get everything done

Please note that turning on your friendship power is a training exercise. As with any other superpower, you have to practice first. And sometimes it takes a while for everything to work properly.

When everything is working very well again, your nervous system can work well. And you no longer have to be afraid or tired when you don't need to be.

I hope you liked this explanation and that it was all clear. If you don't understand something you can ask your parents to explain it to you. You can also ask them to send us a message about what you don't understand. Then we will know that for other children and then we can adjust this story accordingly.

Thank you for reading. And until next time!