Zones of Regulation

Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation are used to teach children how to regulate their own emotions. It assists children in their ability to recognize what they are feeling, communicate that feeling, and use strategies in order to get them into a more regulated zone.

What are the zones?

Blue Zone
- Emotions
  - Sad, tired, bored
- Moving slowly
  - “Rest Area”
- Low state of alertness
Green Zone
- Emotions
  - Happy, calm, focused
- Ready to learn
  - “Go”
- Ideal state of alertness
Yellow Zone
- Emotions
  - Frustrated, worried, excited, nervous
- Loss of some control
  - “Slow”, “Caution”
- Heightened state of alertness
Red Zone
- Emotions
  - Mad, angry, terrified
- Presenting with “out of control” behaviors
  - “Stop”
- Extremely heightened state of alertness

The zones can be implemented with any child who has difficulty with self- regulation but some examples that the zones can be implemented with include children with:

Anxiety disorders
Autism Spectrum disorders
Conduct disorder
ADHD

Programs to Implement at School!

The ALERT Program: How Does Your Engine Run
- Low/ Slow Engine
  - Tired or bored
- Just Right Engine
  - Calm or focused
  - GO– Ready to learn!
- High/ Fast Engine
  - Energetic or mad
  - STOP– use of strategies to help regulate
RULER: Developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
- Can be used for those Pre-K to 12th grade
- Incorporates mood meter

- RULER stands for:
  - Recognize emotions
  - Understand the causes and consequences of emotions
  - Label emotions
  - Express emotions
    - With cultural norms and social contexts
  - Regulate emotions with strategies
- Can assist in:
  - Lower levels of stress
  - Improved school performance
  - Development of social skills
- For more information: RULER < Child Study Center (yale.edu)

Strategies for Kids to Help with Getting in the Green Zone

Drinking water
Taking deep breaths
Wall pushups and other movement breaks
Using theraputty or squeeze ball
Taking a minute by themselves
Count to 10
Listen to music
Stretch
Color or draw
Talk with an adult

For more information on the Zones of Regulation click here: Learn More about the Zones

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