Early Warning Signs

What are Early Warning Signs?

Early Warning Signs are our body's way of communicating to us that we might not be feeling completely safe. 

Emotional feelings have corresponding physical changes, and we can identify these by observing what is going on in our bodies. Your child may experience a number of physical reactions when they are feeling unsafe. 

Early Warning Signs can include butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms, increased heart rate or wobbly legs, but everyone’s Early Warning Signs will be unique to them.

Activity Time!
Identifying My Early Warning Signs 

Use the My Early Warning Signs sheet to help your child identify the physical changes they experience when they feel scared or unsafe. Discuss past situations when your child has noticed their Early Warning Signs and how they responded. 

If your child is unsure what their Early Warning Signs are you can do an experiment with them: burst a balloon, pop popcorn, swing high on a swing etc. to see what physical response they notice. 

You can see a completed example below.

My Early Warning Signs Sheet Early Warning Signs Sheet - Example

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The Three R's

The Three R's can help your child respond faster to an unsafe situation. 
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