Building a Behaviour Compass for Your Child

A behaviour compass helps guide responses to your child’s challenging behaviours with co-regulation, modelling, and simplifying language.

Building a Behaviour Compass for Your Child

Navigating challenging behaviours can feel like trying to find your way through a dense forest. That’s where a behaviour compass comes in—a tool to guide your responses and help your child feel supported and understood.

What Is a Behaviour Compass?
- A framework for understanding and responding to your child’s behaviour.
- It focuses on three key principles: co-regulation, modelling, and reducing language load.
How to Create a Behaviour Compass
- Co-Regulation:
  Stay calm and help your child regulate their emotions. Use deep breathing, gentle tones, and comforting touch.
- Modelling:
  Show the behaviours you want to see. For example, calmly expressing frustration instead of shouting.
- Reducing Language Load:
  Simplify your words during high-stress moments: “Shoes on first, then outside.”
Practical Example
- Scenario: Your child is upset about leaving the park.
- Behaviour Compass in action:
  - Co-regulate: “I know it’s hard to leave; let’s take a deep breath together.”
  - Model: Stay calm and pack up without rushing.
  - Simplify: “First home, then snack.”

A behaviour compass isn’t about perfection; it’s about giving your child direction and support. With practice, this approach can turn chaotic moments into opportunities for growth and connection.