Zones of Regulation


 

The Zones of Regulation is a programme that aims to help children notice the emotion they are feeling and then regulate themselves if they are feeling uncomfortable.

Over the last six weeks our year 1/2 students will participated in sessions in this highly regarded program.

To Start - The program starts by helping children to identify which zone an emotion or feeling they are in.


Blue Zone

This is where you would be if you are feeling tired, sad, bored or sick. In general you are feeling slow and are mostly feeling uncomfortable.

Green Zone

This is where you feel happy, pleased, proud, content, calm and ready to learn. This is the ideal zone for children to be in when in class, feeling comfortable.

Yellow zone

This is when there is some loss of control; you may feel worried, scared or frustrated, behave in a silly way or be excited. In this zone you can be either comfortable or uncomfortable.

Red Zone

This is where there is a loss of control and can also be either comfortable of uncomfortable. You could be feeling rage, fury, elation or total fear.

Students have explored these zones and learn to identify which zone they are in. Sometimes they can’t or don’t want to name the emotion but they can identify which zone they are in.


Next

Once children understand the concept of the zones they will they explore ways to help regulate themselves with the support of sensory devices and calming techniques. We want to help all students to recognize when they are beginning to feel uncomfortable in the yellow zone and have a toolbox of ideas to help them regulate themselves.

At Home

You can support you child/children at home by asking them which zone they are in and using I wonder

"I wonder if you are in the yellow zone at the moment, you seem a bit worried.’ Naming the emotion will help them with their emotional literacy and show them that you can see they are feeling uncomfortable.

Exploring sensory ideas to help your child feel calmer will also really help. Some children find colouring, play dough, using stress balls, time at the park or reading really beneficial. You could also try using relaxing music, children’s yoga for deep breathing exercises or mindfulness.

Finally

The key message is to help your child understand that it is ok to feel angry, be worried or scared but they do need to find ways to help themselves manage those uncomfortable feelings and self-sooth. This will also help them with their self-esteem and resilience.


I hope you find this information useful, please do contact me at school if you would like any more information about the zones and ways to use them.