Use this Brain-SET classroom design checklist to audit whether your room supports Survival, Emotional, and Thinking brain needs. It is a practical starting point based on the Brain-SET Environments Formula® created by Dr Kathryn Murray.
Last updated: 17 July 2026
Quick audit checklist
- Are there smaller, clearly defined learning spaces within the large room?
- Can children move between spaces with a sense of safety and autonomy?
- Is sensory load manageable (visual clutter, noise, crowding)?
- Is there a calm/retreat option when children need regulation?
- Do materials in each space invite open-ended, playful thinking?
- Are materials curated (not overwhelming piles)?
- Does the layout support relationships and connection (not only isolation or chaos)?
- Would an adult feel calmer working in this room for a full day?
- Have educators reviewed spaces against Brain-SET pillars: Design / Feelings / Spaces for Learning?
- Is there a plan for coaching so changes stick after the first rearrange?
For the full proprietary 16 Design Elements and training pathway, see Pillars and Elements and contact the team.