Using The BOUNCE Approach®

What’s happening

• Many children — especially those who are neurodivergent, sensory sensitive, or anxious — struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Sleep difficulties may show up as bedtime battles, night waking, or fatigue that carries into the school day.
• Poor sleep can lower resilience, increase dysregulation, and drain energy batteries before the day even begins.

The BOUNCE Approach®

🖤 B — Body and Nervous System (Inside Tool)

• Use calming routines before bed: slow breathing, gentle stretches, or weighted blankets.
• Lower arousal by avoiding screens and fast-paced play in the hour before bedtime.

❤️ O — Openness to Connection and Attachment (In-Between Tool)

• Build relational safety at bedtime: story time, soft chat, or co-regulation through presence.
• Offer choice — “Would you like one story or two?” — to reduce bedtime resistance.

🧡 U — Understanding Sensory Differences (Outside Tool)

• Adapt sleep environments: blackout blinds, white/pink/brown noise, soft bedding without irritating textures.
• Notice sensory triggers (temperature, light, sound) that disrupt sleep.

💚 N — Navigating Emotions (Inside Tool)

• Help children notice and name worries before bed (through drawing, writing, or talking).
• Use parts language: “A part of you feels worried about tomorrow — let’s give it space before sleep.”

💙 C — Connection to Self and Others (In-Between Tool)

• Share bedtime rituals together (gratitude lists, gentle affirmations, breathing exercises).
• Reinforce predictability so children feel safe moving into sleep.

💜 E — Esteem and Identity (Inside Tool)

• Celebrate small wins: “You gave your body the chance to rest — that’s taking good care of yourself.”
• Reinforce that everyone’s sleep needs are different — and that’s okay.

Adult Focus:

• Sleep struggles are not just “bad habits” — they often reflect nervous system stress or sensory needs.
• Focus on safety, routine, and co-regulation, not punishment or withdrawal of comfort.
• Be consistent, but flexible — small changes build trust over time.

Next Steps

• Explore further learning:
  • Mindfulness — calming the mind before sleep with gentle practices.
  • Gut Health — exploring links between digestion, sleep quality, and anxiety. (Learning Portal Exclusive)
  • Sleep and Sensory Needs – Exclusively in the Learning Portal, our guest trainer Laura Hellfeld talks through how we can support sleep through sensory tools
• Family Coaching: Work with us one-to-one to create personalised sleep plans, routines, and sensory supports at home. Click here
• Join the Learning Portal: Access 80+ trainings and printable resources, click here

👉 Sleep isn’t just about bedtime routines — it’s about safety, regulation, and the nervous system. When children feel calm and supported, rest comes more naturally.