Zones of Regulation

At St Boniface RC Primary School we use the Zones of Regulation (Leah Kuypers 2011) to help teach children self-regulation and emotional control.

What are The Zones of Regulation?

Feelings are complicated. To make them easier to talk about, think about, and regulate, The Zones of Regulation organises our feelings, states of alertness, and energy levels into 4 coloured zones:

It is important to note that all the zones are okay and everyone experiences all of the zones at different times and in different circumstances.

Children are taught to identify which zone they are in throughout the school day and to think about what strategies they can use to move zones, if necessary. For example, if a pupil identifies that they are feeling in the yellow zone because they are excited and giggly, an adult can suggest strategies the child can try so that they can self-regulate their emotions, make the right choices and move into the green zone – the zone for optimal learning.

How can I support by child at home using The Zones of Regulation?

Display The Zones of Regulation around your home (see links below).
Refer to the zones when talking about your own feelings in front of your child eg. “I am feeling worried because…I must be in the Yellow Zone”
Explicitly talk about which strategy you will use in the appropriate zone eg. “I am going to go for a walk to help me get into the Green Zone.”
Label which zone your child is in throughout the day eg. “I can see you’re feeling tired, I wonder if you are in the Blue Zone?”
Teach your child which strategy they can use when in the different zones eg. “It’s time for bed, let’s read a book together to get into the Blue Zone.”
Praise your child for attempting to identify the zone they are in and when they suggest an appropriate strategy to use eg. “Well done for identifying that you are in the Yellow Zone! I think your suggestion to go and do some calm colouring is a really good strategy.”
If you identify some specific strategies that your child responds well to at home, then please share these with your child’s class teacher.