What is the Brain-SET Environments Formula®?
Brain-SET is a training program that shines the light on the importance of aligning brain development with the design of the environment.
Dr Kathyn Murray is the creator of the original Brain-SET process for shaping early childhood spaces and places to promote learning. Her mantra of “A calm brain is a thinking brain” highlights the value of understanding the ways to support the needs of the brain to experience Safety, Emotional connection and opportunities for Thinking.
Originally, this method was called the Brain-SET Formula for Classroom Design. Dr. Kathryn soon found that her formula was applicable to all environments along with Early Childhood centres.
We invite you to read a little more about Brain-SET and reach out to us for staff training to support learning, calm environment design and staff wellbeing.
Join the Brain-SET training Wait List.
Brain-SET in Action: Astrea Academy Trust
Our team, led by early childhood expert Dr. Sue Allingham, partnered with Astrea Academy Trust in a year-long initiative to enhance their educational environments using the Brain-SET Environments Formula®. Through a combination of professional development sessions, on-site coaching and tailored mentoring, we worked closely with their educators to align classroom spaces with the latest understanding of how children’s brains develop.
This collaboration empowered teachers to refine their practices, deepen their understanding of early brain development and create learning environments that truly support young learners’ growth.
See before, during and after of the classroom implementation of Brain-SET® >
If you know a little about the needs of the brain, then it makes sense to use our mantra of
“A calm brain is a thinking brain”
The environment can shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Think of how we act at a concert or football match as opposed to a library or temple. The same can be said for early childhood environments. Their design influences how children and adults think, feel and act.
The Brain-SET Environments Formula® is original research and a successful pedagogical method for setting up purposeful spaces in the classroom that align with the needs of the brain. Brain-SET is a pedagogical training program followed up through ongoing coaching and mentoring to support long-term change.
Brain-SET Pillars of Design
The Brain-SET Environments Formula® is a specific way to design the learning environment that supports the needs and priorities of the brain. In a Brain-SET room we pay attention to the providing open ended, playful learning opportunities. Classroom spaces are designed so children feel Safe, Engaged and open to Thinking (S.E.T.) Noticing the nervous system and supporting calm spaces means that the brain can prioritise what’s important. As we set up the classroom, it is essential to factor in the 3 Pillars of Design and the 16 Design Elements that are woven throughout the classroom.
The 3 pillars include the Design for Learning, Feelings for Learning and Spaces for Learning. The pillars align directly with the S.E.T. priorities of the brain and have 5 or 6 elements that overlap throughout the room.
Intentional design of the room means that ‘a calm brain is a thinking brain’ – our Brain-SET mantra.
Who is Brain-SET for?
Anyone who works with children or adults and wants to have a calm and thinking brain.
Dr Kathryn Murray
Kathryn has been in the education sector for over 40 years. Everything she does is designed to support parents and educators to be all they can be, so that children are given the best start in life to enjoy a strong, happy future. She is the creator of the Brain-SET Environments Formula® and supports children and educators worldwide when designing environments that align with brain development.
Testimonials
Each and every space within our classroom has seen positive change from our time with Dr Murray. We have seen the benefits of seeing each space through its transformation, and the children’s excited and warm reactions to each area have validated our growth in classroom design.
– Marlen, Los Angeles, California
As we continuously develop our classrooms layout to align with what we took from the Brain Set Program, we have noticed a huge change in the children’s behaviour.
The environment is calm leading to a more relaxing atmosphere and allowing positive engagement from the children, families and educators.
– Kim, Director, Sunshine Coast, Australia
Thank you so much to Dr Murray for all the time you spent with us at the center. I really enjoyed the classes, training, feedback, and collaboration we all had. We hope to see you again soon and wish you all the best as well.
– Anthonette, Los Angeles, California
Thank you for a wonderful session. It was worth spending some of my Saturday on professional development. The class was great.
– Anonymous from Together We Grow Webinar
I have listened to you online and in-person and every time I learn something new! Your brain-set environment is an important step towards creating spaces where both the children and the adults can fall into deep learning zones. I’m excited to join you again!
– Tricia Mohamed, Founder of Play Practitioners
Globally, the Brain-SET Environments Formula® has been featured in:
- Fairy Dust Teaching Conference in America, 2021
- Featured article in Exchange Magazine, America, Sept/Oct 2021 edition
- Main article in the Spaces magazine Issue 65, Spring 2021 in New Zealand
- An invited blog post on Enspirement (an early childhood resources organisation) 2021, New Zealand
- Ongoing LinkedIn posts and celebrations by excited educators globally
- Adopted as a training program in China for early childhood educators in different provinces, November 2021
- Included as part of the Early Childhood Masters in Education degree program for the Walden University, America, 2021
- Brain-SET workshops presented to early learning centres in Los Angeles, America, February 2022
- Featured in the Navtika Magazine in India (to be published 2022)
- May 2022, Conference presentation for the World Forum Foundation, Florida, America
- Used as the basis for ongoing virtual mentoring and coaching for American centres
- Interest across the world from qualified professionals interested in becoming certified Brain-SET facilitator, trained by me and under my guidance for consistency and authenticity
- Awarded Early Childhood Innovator of the Year for my Brain-SET development, India, 2022