This free printable PDF is a clear, trauma-informed visual tool that helps adults understand children’s behaviour through the lens of survival responses. The wheel explains the four common trauma responses – fight, flight, freeze and fawn – and shows both what you might see in a child’s behaviour and how the child may be feeling underneath.
The resource supports a deeper understanding of behaviour as communication. It highlights how children may show aggression, avoidance, shutdown or people-pleasing when they feel unsafe, overwhelmed or anxious. It also links these behaviours to underlying feelings such as fear, panic, shame, helplessness or a strong need to stay safe.
This guide includes practical, relationship-based guidance on what helps, such as creating safety through predictable routines and clear boundaries, staying calm and connected, validating feelings, and supporting co-regulation before addressing behaviour.
It is a useful tool for parents, carers, foster carers, adoptive parents, teachers, social workers, therapists and counsellors who support children and young people affected by trauma, attachment difficulties or emotional and behavioural needs. It can be used in homes, schools or therapeutic settings to build understanding, reduce judgement and support emotional regulation, wellbeing and safer relationships.
