Educational Psychology & Child Development - The core question children constantly ask is "Am I safe with you?" [3] - Children may lie as a defense mechanism when they feel unsafe, not necessarily out of defiance or manipulation [7] - Stress or perceived threats activate the amygdala, overwhelming the prefrontal cortex and leading to emotionally driven reactions [8] - Harsh reactions from adults can trigger toxic stress in children, hindering learning and regulation [15] Intervention Strategy: The REWIRE Framework (CALM) - **C**enter: Regulate your nervous system by taking a breath [13] - **A**ffirm: Empathize and name the storm you see without judgment [13] - **L**ead: Connect instead of controlling [13] - **M**eet: Address their nervous system need [13] - Authentic trust and respect are key to building bridges between chaos and calm [14] Impact & Results - A school district in Massachusetts saw office referrals drop by nearly 80% and school suspensions lower to 40% after training staff to be the calm [16] - Rewiring responses with calm can improve a child's ability to learn and regulate within weeks [15]