Meltdown Mountain
Meltdown Mountain: A Staff & Educator Guide to Co-Regulation is a visual tool designed to help adults understand, track, and support pupils through the phases of sensory overload and emotional dysregulation.
By framing a meltdown as an involuntary, neurological response to stress—rather than bad behavior—this resource helps educators and support staff match their co-regulation strategies to the child's exact location on the "mountain."
What’s Included
- Full-Color "Meltdown Mountain" Visual Poster: An intuitive graphic detailing the 5 stages of emotional escalation and recovery (Basecamp, The Climb, The Peak, De-escalation, and The Crash).
- Comprehensive Co-Regulation Guide: Actionable guidance breaking down each phase with:
- Pupil Internal State: What is happening in the brain and sensory system.
- Adult Goal: The primary objective for the educator (e.g., early intervention, containment, physical recovery).
- Action Steps: Practical, step-by-step strategies to reduce demands, adjust adult body language, and maintain safety.
The 5 Mountain Stages Covered
- Basecamp: "I am calm, safe, ready, regulated."
- The Climb: "I am stressed and it's getting tough to carry on."
- The Peak: "I am overwhelmed, it's too hard to control myself."
- De-escalation: "My body is letting go of big feelings."
- The Crash: "I am exhausted and out of energy."
Ideal For
- Teachers & Teaching Assistants
- SENCOs & Inclusion Teams
- School Counselors & Pastoral Staff
- Educational Psychologists
- Parents & Carers
How to Use
Display the poster in classrooms, calm spaces, or staff rooms as a visual prompt for pupils and staff. Use the accompanying guide during pastoral meetings, staff training, or individual support planning to build a consistent, trauma-informed approach to emotional regulation.
Note: This is a digital download. No physical product will be shipped.
