Preventing Behaviour Through Understanding
The Normal Zebra Method™ (NZM) is a six-tier framework that helps adults understand what is happening inside a child before behaviour shows up on the outside.
Instead of reacting to moments, NZM gives parents and teachers a clear map of a child’s wiring, internal pathway, and pressure systems, so they can respond early, compassionately, and effectively.
The Six Tiers of the Normal Zebra Method™
Tier 0 — Wiring Map
A child’s underlying sensory, emotional, cognitive, relational, and curiosity wiring. Their natural starting point.
Tier 1 — Internal Pathway
The moment-to-moment experience inside the child. Feelings, sensations, cues, needs, and early signals.
Tier 2 — Dynamic Mechanics
What’s building inside: compounding demands, sensory load, emotional spikes, social pressure, cognitive strain.
Tier 3 — Behaviour Meaning Lens
How the adult interprets what they see. Behaviour as communication, not defiance.
Tier 4 — Response Arc
How the adult responds in the moment — meeting needs, reducing load, guiding safely.
Tier 5 — Reflection Loop
Learning after the moment. What worked, what didn’t, and how to support next time.
Want the full breakdown? Download the complete NZM Overview to see every tier in detail.
The Five Rays that Shape Every Moment
Sensory Ray — Touch, sound, movement, visual load, sensory triggers.
Emotional Ray — Frustration, fear, overwhelm, shutdown/escalation patterns.
Cognitive Ray — Working memory, flexibility, attention, processing load.
Physiological Ray — Sleep, hunger, hormones, fatigue, illness.
Relational Ray — Connection, safety, adult tone, cues, proximity.
What the Normal Zebra Method Believes
Behaviour never begins at behaviour.
A child’s internal experience drives their external actions.
Early support prevents escalation and reduces overwhelm.
When adults understand the internal story, behaviour shifts naturally.
Connection + clarity = regulation.
The Normal Zebra Method Flow
Wiring Map → Internal Pathway → Dynamic Mechanics → Meaning Lens → Response Arc
→ Reflection Loop
This is the “internal pathway” that shows where behaviour really comes from, and how adults can redirect it with clarity, compassion, and attuned responses.
Who the Normal Zebra Method is for
Parents:
NZM helps you understand what’s happening beneath the surface so you can support your child earlier, reduce pressure before it builds, and bring them back to calm more easily.
Teachers:
NZM gives you a clear, practical lens to interpret behaviour through internal experience, helping you respond with relational safety instead of guesswork or escalation.
Clinicians:
NZM offers a neuroaffirming, internal-pathway framework that strengthens insight, improves recommendations, and supports families with more attuned, compassionate guidance.