Using The BOUNCE Approach®
What’s happening
- Emotional dysregulation happens when a child is pushed outside their Window of Tolerance and struggles to return to balance.
- This can look like meltdowns, shutdowns, aggression, running away, or withdrawal.
- Dysregulation isn’t a choice — it’s the nervous system signalling “I don’t feel safe.”
- Energy battery impact: repeated dysregulation drains capacity quickly, leaving children exhausted or more vulnerable to triggers.
The BOUNCE Approach®
🖤 B — Body and Nervous System (Inside Tool)
- Pause demands and focus on safety.
- Offer grounding activities (deep breathing, heavy work, sensory play) to calm the body.
❤️ O — Openness to Connection and Attachment (In-Between Tool)
- Stay nearby, calm, and reassuring — your presence is regulating.
- Use short safety phrases: “I’m here. You’re safe.”
🧡 U — Understanding Sensory Differences (Outside Tool)
- Check for sensory triggers (noise, lighting, clothing, transitions).
- Adapt the environment to reduce overwhelm before re-engaging.
💚 N — Navigating Emotions (Inside Tool)
- Once calm, explore feelings through visuals, metaphor, or play.
- Use parts language: “A part of you felt angry/scared/overwhelmed…”
💙 C — Connection to Self and Others (In-Between Tool)
- Repair connection gently: listen to the child’s perspective without correction.
- Practise problem-solving in calmer moments, not during the peak of distress.
💜 E — Esteem and Identity (Inside Tool)
- Affirm: “Having big feelings doesn’t make you bad.”
- Highlight strengths: notice effort in calming down or expressing themselves safely.
Adult Focus:
- Regulation comes before reasoning — wait until calm before talking.
- Co-regulation is more powerful than correction.
- Plan for recovery: tiredness and low mood often follow dysregulation.
Next Steps
- Explore further learning:
- De-escalation through Co-Regulation — practical strategies to reduce conflict and support recovery.
- Grounding Techniques — simple ways to help children return to balance.
- Window of Tolerance — understanding stress states and how to support children within them.
- Family Coaching: Work with us one-to-one to build personalised strategies for home, reduce stress around meltdowns, and strengthen family connection. Click here
- Join the Learning Portal: Access 80+ trainings, resources, and interventions designed to help children build regulation skills and feel safe in their bodies. Click here
👉 Dysregulation isn’t defiance — it’s distress. When families and professionals respond with safety and compassion, children learn they can return to calm, connection, and confidence.
What Others Say
“My daughter attended on 1:1 sessions which helped a lot. Tracy is very-very kind and helpful. Thank you for all of the support! :)” Monika
“I am not sure how I would have survived the last year without the help and understanding that I received and I continue to receive from Child Therapy Service. It allowed me not just to understand my own son’s struggles but my own childhood struggles that I never really fully addressed. I am so grateful to have met Tracy Chadwick who helped me to rebuild my sense of trust and inner power to make all the changes that I needed to do and wanted to do but was too scared to do it. With strategies suggested by Tracy and her caring attitude I am improving my own mental emotional social health as well that of my son. Thank you Tracy for being you and all that you do to increase awareness as well create a positive impact on the people that you meet. For that I am forever grateful. 🙏♥️🌍” Elzbieta
