Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulation is a system which supports children in learning how to recognise their emotions and how to self-regulate through the use of four coloured zones. Children will be taught how to and encouraged to think about how the body feels and the emotions they have in relation to the four coloured zones. They will then be taught strategies that may help them when they are in the different zones. The zones are also linked to familiar children's characters from the film 'Inside Out' to aid their understanding of the different zones and the emotions they may feel in each.
It is important to remember that there is no 'bad' zone. Everyone will experience each of the zones at different times due to different circumstances and we may be in more than one zone at a time. We can't change the way children feel but we want to validate and help them to manage their feelings and the behaviours associated with these feelings.
Why are we introducing the zones?
We are introducing the zones as we want to build a common language between adults and children to talk about emotions in a non-judgemental manner. The zones provide a simple framework for everybody to understand and support the teaching of healthy coping strategies. The zones will run alongside our current work with BURT and WILMA.
How do the Zones help children?
They provide vocabulary to talk about emotions
They help children to recognise their own emotions
They help children to detect the emotions of others
They help children to recognise what might trigger certain emotions
They help children to see how others may interpret their behaviour
They provide children with tools for problem solving
What are the different zones?
The Red Zone
When in the red zone children will be in an extremely heightened state of alertness and feel a loss of all control. They may feel/present with: anger, rage, explosive behaviour, panic extreme grief, terror.
Some strategies which may help when in this zone include:
Walking away
Finding a grown up
Counting all the red things they can see
Counting to ten
Asking for help
Taking deep breaths
Having a sensory break
The Yellow Zone
When in the yellow zone children will be in a heightened state of alertness, their energy is elevated but they will feel some sense of internal control. They may feel/present with: Stress, frustration, anxiety, silliness, fear.
Some strategies which may help when in this zone include:
Talking to a grown up
Having a drink of water
Asking for help
Using a Sensory tool (fiddle toy)
Taking deep breaths
Having a sensory break
The Blue Zone
When in the blue zone children will be in a low state of alertness. They may feel: sad, tired, bored, sick.
Some strategies which may help when in this zone include:
Talking to a grown up
Having a drink of water
Asking for help
Asking for a break
Asking for comfort e.g. a hug
Having a sensory break
The Green Zone
When in the green zone children will be in an ideal state of alertness and have a strong sense of internal control. They may feel: calm, happy, focused, content.
Some strategies which may help when in this zone include:
Engaging with learning
Smiling
Listening
Being kind
Working hard
Helping others
