Families, Your Children's Educators are Using the Phoenix Cups® Framework
So, your educators are using the Phoenix Cups Framework? What does this mean?
In short, it means your child and young person's educators have undergone training with Phoenix Support to implement the Phoenix Cups Framework in their program. But it's so much more exciting that that!
What is the Phoenix Cups®?
Understanding why people behave the way they do can be simply explained using an analogy about Cups. We are all motivated to choose behaviours to meet our needs. In fact, it has been argued that every single behaviour we do is to meet one of our basic human life needs.
Now imagine those needs as five different sized Cups. We call those Cups your Safety Cup®, your Connection Cup®, your Mastery Cup®, Freedom Cup®, and your Fun Cup®. The difference between each of us is that we all have different sized Cups which makes up our unique Cups profile.
Using this analogy, you could say that every behaviour we choose is to fill a Cup. When our Cups are emptying, we are motivated to choose behaviours to fill them, driven by the Will to Fill™ our Cups. When they are full (or filling), we have a strong sense of wellbeing and fulfilment.
You can watch and here the Phoenix Cups explained here, to the right.
Check out the Cupify This! Podcast.
It's designed to be listened to in chronological order, so here's Episode 1, where you'll learn all about The Phoenix Cups framework in just 15 minutes.
Listen NowCups and Parenting
Did you get through Episode 1 to 9 of the podcast? If you did, you've already found Episode 10 on Cupify This! If not - here's a shortcut directly to the episode about parenting.
The Phoenix Cups
Website and Quiz
There are five Cups in the Phoenix Cups® framework. They are:
The Safety Cup®
The Connection Cup®
The Mastery Cup®
The Freedom Cup®
The Fun Cup®
Browse the website for a bit more info. Don't leave without taking the 5-minute quiz to work out what your unique Cups profile.
28 Day Wellbeing Challenge
Take the challenge - complete with family missions. A revolutionary step towards understanding and planning for your fulfilment. Using the research-based Phoenix Cups framework, you will develop a personal & relevant wellbeing plan, then engage in a 28-day challenge of brief but effective activities.
Teaching, Not Training
What does it really mean to support children’s development? This thought-provoking blog explores the difference between teaching and training - and why it matters for your child. Discover how respectful, relationship-based guidance nurtures children’s curiosity, agency and self-worth, rather than simply expecting compliance.
A valuable read for any parent wanting to better understand the 'why' behind their child’s behaviour and how to respond in ways that build skills and connection.
Be in the know
Have a sneak peek at Sandi's chapter in this book - Parents this is the one thing you need to know - on Connection Seeking. Any parent knows raising kids can be as confusing, challenging and maddening as it is profoundly life-affirming. We can't possibly have all the answers, all the time, but there are some parts of parenting you absolutely should not drop the ball on.
PakMag interviewed Sandi about the Phoenix Cups and parenting. You can listen to it here.
An article by PakMag, parenting magazine, about the Phoenix Cups. As human beings, we all have basic needs that need to be met. They’re different for all of us, but if our needs aren’t being satisfied, we end up feeling tired, unhappy and unfulfilled.
Sandi is a behaviour specialist and founder of the Phoenix Cups approach to guiding behaviour. Watch her series of videos on Parent TV.
A beautifully illustrated story introducing children to the five essential life needs; Safety, Connection, Freedom, Mastery, and Fun. Inspired by the Phoenix Cups® Framework, The Phoenix Five helps children (and families) recognise their needs and express them with confidence.
More than a story; it’s a gentle start to needs literacy and lifelong wellbeing.
Created by Sandi & Christopher Phoenix, and Monica Millgate. Illustrated by Katherine Appleby.
A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens
From the queen of commonsense parenting and host of the popular ABC podcast Parental as Anything comes the ultimate guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens
Explore our carefully curated collection of books designed to nurture connection, build emotional resilience, and support your family’s wellbeing. Whether you're just beginning or deep into the parenting path, you'll find empowering resources grounded in needs-based, compassionate practice.
Parental As Anything – with Maggie Dent
Join parenting author and educator Maggie Dent as she dives into the big (and little) challenges of raising kids. With warmth, wisdom and real-life tips, this podcast supports you through everything from toddler tantrums to teenage moods. It's all about helping your child grow up feeling secure, connected and confident - and reminding you that you're doing a great job, even on the tough days.
You'll also find insights that support your child’s emotional wellbeing and strengthen your family relationships.