Student Support Services
February 25, 2026 – Edition 2
Understanding Your Child’s “Internal Security System”
Think of your child’s nervous system as their body’s personal security system. Its job is to constantly scan for safety, but in children, this system is still under construction.
When children feel overwhelmed by a loud room, a sudden change in plans or big emotions, their “thinking brain” can be bypassed. Instead, their body’s survival mode can kick in, leading to fight (tantrums), flight (running away) or freeze (shutting down).
These are not always choices or “bad” behaviour. They are biological reactions to feeling unsafe. By staying calm ourselves, we act as an “anchor”, helping your child feel secure enough to return to a state where they can listen, learn and play again.
The link below is a two-minute read by Chris Wood, Nervous System Regulation in Children: Tools for Parents and Educators, which offers practical strategies for supporting children when their internal security system is on high alert.
Nervous System Regulation in Children: Tools for Parents and Educators (Chris Wood)
Sarah Quin, Mandy Barr and Joanne Devota-Rando
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