Fight Flight Freeze and Fawn responses in children

What looks like "bad behaviour" is often a child whose nervous system is overwhelmed.

When children go into fight, flight, freeze or fawn, they're not choosing to be difficult. Their brain is doing its best to keep them safe.

Instead of asking...

❌ "How do I stop this behaviour?"

Try asking...

❤️ "What is my child trying to tell me?"

When we understand what's happening inside our child's brain, we can respond with connection instead of frustration.

Simple calming strategies like deep breathing, heavy work, movement, humming and creating a safe, predictable environment can help children regulate their nervous system and feel safe again.

✨ If you'd like even more practical tools, my Calming Corners are available as instant downloads and are designed to help children recognise their emotions, self-regulate and develop healthy coping skills at home, in the classroom or during therapy sessions.