The size of the problem & what I can do

For ages 3–5, read aloud, listen and make the safety decisions. Offer two simple actions to point to. Stay close and help the child act. For ages 6–9, practise concrete situations together. For ages 10–12, explore context, options and follow-up.

Start with “Tell me what happened.” A small-looking problem may involve bullying, unmet needs, sensory overload or something a child cannot yet explain. Offer comfort and help without requiring calm, eye contact or a clear explanation first. Take bullying, harm and threats seriously. If an adult is part of the problem, help the child reach another safe adult.

Use the bands to plan support, never to demand a smaller reaction or tell a child they are overreacting. A child is not responsible for managing an adult’s response or stopping harm alone. Follow up and check whether the situation has improved.

This is an original OWL educational resource. The three bands and age pathways are teaching prompts, not a validated assessment or emergency triage tool.

Sources and support

• Raising Children Network: understanding and managing emotions (new tab)
• Bullying No Way: help for primary-school children (new tab)
• Kids Helpline (new tab): Australian children and young people aged 5–25 can call 1800 55 1800, free, 24/7.
• Triple Zero: emergency help in Australia (PDF, new tab)