The BEARS Technique is a simple, five-step behaviour management strategy that helps children and young people take control of their emotions and behaviour — in less than one minute.
When a child is having a meltdown or starting to spiral, they need something that works quickly. BEARS gives them a short, practical routine they can use in the moment to calm down, refocus and choose how they respond. Rather than having behaviour managed for them, children learn that they have the power to manage it themselves.
The five steps
Each letter of BEARS stands for one simple step. Together they take less than a minute.
B — Breathe. Take slow, deep breaths to calm the body.
E — Emotion. Name the feeling and accept it.
A — Attention. Shift focus away from the problem.
R — Reframe. See the challenge from a different angle.
S — Stay present. Come back to the here and now.
Why it works
BEARS is built on a simple idea: children who feel in control of their emotions behave better, and feel better about themselves.
- Simple — five easy steps that take under a minute, so they can be used in the middle of a difficult moment.
- Empowering — the child owns their emotions and behaviour, rather than relying on an adult to fix things for them.
- Lasting — each time a child uses BEARS successfully, their confidence and resilience grow. These are vital foundations for positive social and emotional development.
The approach behind it
BEARS takes a multi-disciplinary approach. It brings together proven strategies from several fields, distilled into one quick, child-friendly routine:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — recognising how thoughts, feelings and actions connect.
- Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) — using language and focus to shift how we feel and respond.
- Visualisation — using the imagination to build calm, confidence and resilience.
- Personal development coaching — building ownership, positive mindset and self-belief.
Because these techniques are powerful in their own right, combining them means BEARS works fast.
How children learn it
BEARS only needs to be taught once. It can be introduced to a group in a single workshop, or one-to-one over a few short sessions.
After that, the key is practice. Children use the technique regularly — ideally every day — so it becomes second nature. With consistency, the new responses are strengthened and absorbed until BEARS becomes a life skill that stays with the child as they grow.
What BEARS helps children understand
Alongside the five steps, children learn why their minds and bodies react the way they do — because knowledge is power. The technique helps them explore:
- How the brain works and processes information, and why we react to things the way we do
- How to use that understanding to stay in control
- Emotions — recognising and accepting them, and learning to master them
- Fear, stress and anxiety, and what is really going on
- How deep breathing can change the game
- Belief systems, and letting go of negative, self-limiting beliefs
- How the language we use affects how we feel and act
- Changing the focus of our thoughts for better outcomes
- Using the imagination and positive mental images to build confidence and resilience
- Reframing challenges by seeing them from a different perspective
- Staying in the present moment to feel stronger
Where BEARS is used
BEARS works wherever children need help managing big feelings:
- In schools — when teachers, teaching assistants and support staff all use the same technique, children get one clear, consistent message. The result is a calmer classroom where learning can happen.
- At home — parents can reinforce the same steps, so the strategy carries over from school to family life.
- One-to-one — therapists, counsellors, coaches and other professionals working with children use BEARS as part of their sessions.
Wherever it is used, the goal is the same: children who feel in control, confident and resilient.
