Dr Pooky Knightsmith

Keynote Speaker, Author & Advisor

Speaking Enquiry

Slides and resources from a session in Summer 2025.

Here’s the session overview:

If you were there, I hope these are a helpful aide-memoire. If not, I hope they make enough sense without me to be useful. If you’d like to download them, you can do so via this page on Slideshare.

Maslow’s Toolbox: Creating Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives

Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as a practical lens, this session explores how meeting children’s basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs can transform behaviour, engagement, and learning. With a strong focus on inclusion, we’ll look at how small, manageable changes can create classrooms where all children—including autistic pupils, ADHD learners, and those with experiences of trauma—feel safe, valued, and ready to thrive. You’ll leave with simple, low-cost strategies that are easy to implement and benefit every student, without singling anyone out.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify unmet needs that may be driving behaviour or disengagement
  • Make quick, effective adjustments that improve focus and wellbeing
  • Create a safer, more predictable classroom environment
  • Support students to feel calm, confident and included
  • Build a stronger sense of belonging and connection
  • Foster self-esteem through success-focused strategies
  • Apply practical tools the very next day—no extra budget required

Further Resources

Here are some further resources you might find helpful to build on the session:

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***For more information about my speaking and training work,take a look at my speaker pack below, check out my speaking page or email my lovely agent Ellie.***

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