The Ripples Method™
The Ripples Method™ is a simple, repeatable regulation framework that helps teachers avoid burnout and calm dysregulated children in under five minutes.
- Movement first, so attention and behavior follow
- Designed for group use, in real time, with no prior training
- Interactive and sensory feedback
THE FOUR RIPPLES of Self-Regulation
1st RIPPLE: Micro Movements
1st RIPPLE: Micro Movements
1st RIPPLE: Micro Movements
What it is:
Gentle, precise movements that work with the nervous system rather than against it. These are small, accessible actions that help release excess tension, restore sensory feedback, and re-establish a sense of physical safety in the body.
Why the method starts here:
Before a child (or adult) can settle, breathe, or focus, the body needs to feel safe enough to pause. Micro-movement meets the nervous system where it is — especially in states of restlessness, shutdown, or overwhelm — and creates the conditions for regulation without forcing stillness.
2nd RIPPLE: EFT Tapping
1st RIPPLE: Micro Movements
1st RIPPLE: Micro Movements
What it is:
A rhythmic, bilateral tapping sequence that combines gentle physical input with emotional awareness. Tapping helps discharge stress, reduce emotional intensity, and bring the system back toward balance.
Why it follows micro-movement:
Once the body has reconnected through movement, tapping provides a predictable, organising rhythm. This supports emotional regulation and helps the nervous system downshift from stress responses, making it easier to process sensation without becoming overwhelmed.
3rd RIPPLE: Acupressure Points
3rd RIPPLE: Acupressure Points
3rd RIPPLE: Acupressure Points
What it is:
Simple acupressure points and hand positions that stimulate calming neural pathways. These tools support focus, grounding, and self-regulation through direct, intentional touch.
Why it comes next:
After movement and rhythmic input, the nervous system is more receptive to stiller forms of regulation. Acupressure and mudras encourage internal awareness and self-soothing, helping the child build agency and recognise their own capacity to settle.
4th RIPPLE: Breathwork
3rd RIPPLE: Acupressure Points
3rd RIPPLE: Acupressure Points
What it is:
Age-appropriate, nervous-system-informed breathing practices that support calm, attention, and emotional regulation. The focus is on natural, functional breathing rather than breath control.
Why breathwork comes last:
Breath is powerful, but only helpful when the nervous system is ready for it. By placing breathwork at the end of the sequence, the body is already safer, more organised, and receptive. The breath both stabilises the previous ripples and becomes the anchor for healthier habits.