The Zones of Regulation is an internationally renowned intervention which helps children to manage difficult emotions, known as ‘self-regulation’.  Self-regulation can sometimes be referred to as ‘emotional regulation’ and ‘self-control’.  Self-regulation is best described as the best state of alertness for a situation, or the ability to maintain a well-regulated emotional state to cope with everyday stress and to be most available for learning and interacting.

From time to time, all of us (including adults) find it hard to manage strong feelings and this can stop us from getting on with our day effectively.  When children feel strong emotions, they often find it hard to learn and concentrate in school.

At St. Paul’s, we recognise the importance of promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing for our children and their families.  We want to teach all of our children how to identify and recognise their emotions and cope with different feelings.  Our aim is to teach children strategies to self-regulate and improve their wellbeing so they can feel calm and ready to learn.

Each year group across school from Nursery up to Year 6 will be taught about the ‘Zones of Regulation’ in an age-appropriate way.

Children will:

• Recognise when they are in the different Zones and learn how to change or stay in the Zone they are in.
• Increase their emotional vocabulary so they can explain how they are feeling and learn to recognise their own triggers.
• Recognise when other people are in different Zones, learn to read facial expressions, body language and develop better empathy.
• Develop an insight into what might make them move into the different Zones.
• Understand that emotions, sensory experiences and environment can influence which Zone they are in.
• Become more aware of how their actions can affect other people.
• Develop problem-solving skills and resilience.
• Identify a range of calming and alerting strategies and use them to regulate (known as emotional regulation ‘toolkit’).

 

The Zones of Regulation curriculum is based around the use of four colours (blue, green, yellow and red) to help children self-identify how they are feeling and categorise feelings based on colour. The children learn different strategies to cope and manage their emotions based on which colour zone they are in. Children check-in each morning and afternoon, using relevant strategies for their stage of development, as well as when needed throughout the day.

 

 

         

 

Self Regulation Strategies and Toolkits

Blue Zone Tools:

Think about what you might do as an adult to make you feel better when you are sad, tired or bored.

This might include talking to a trusted person, breathing techniques, taking a break and relaxing, doing a hobby, colouring/drawing, reading a book or cuddling a cushion/soft toy/weighted blanket /hugging someone (*be mindful that not all children will want to be hugged.)

Doing some physical exercise can be an effective strategy - exercises should wake up our bodies, recharge and activate our senses and regain our focus.  Examples may include: taking a walk, getting out in the fresh air or doing some active movement (think jumping, bouncing or swinging).

 

  

 

 

Green Zone Tools:

Think about the strategies you or your child use to maintain your happiness, alertness in the activity you are engaging in, and calmness.

This may include all the activities mentioned above, and also pay attention to the environment your child is in – is it safe and calm?

Yellow Zone Tools:

When you see your child starting to become heightened, fidgety, over excited or unfocussed – try to introduce calming strategies to prevent an escalation into the Red Zone (or out of control).  In addition to some of the calming tools already mentioned above, fidget toys, listening to music, yoga, meditation or having a movement break can be effective strategies.

 

 

 

Red Zone Tools:

Once in the Red Zone, your child will more than likely need to be removed from the situation, and it is encouraged that they go to an environment that is calming and safe.  Calming strategies that ‘power down’ the emotions your child is feeling can be practiced here.  These could include:

Breathing techniques, deep pressure activities, sensory activities – using sensory aids (tools such as playdough or a stress ball) or taking a walk.  Some children may prefer to move to a quiet space or den (i.e. pillow fort/ tent/ a den under a blanket).

Minimise your language when your child is in the red zone – be clear, concise and calm in your tone.

 

   

 

Things to remember:

There are NO “bad” zones, all feelings and emotions are valid.

ALL the zones are expected at different times and circumstances.

You can be in more than one zone at a time.

 

How Can I Support My Child at Home?

 

• Identify your own feelings using Zones language in front of your child (eg. “I’m frustrated. I think I am in the Yellow Zone.”)
• Talk about what tool you will use to be in the appropriate Zone (eg. “I need to take four deep breaths to help get me back to the Green Zone.”)
• At times, wonder which Zone your child is in.  Or, discuss which Zone a character in a film / book might be in.
• Engage your child in discussion around Zones but be aware that when they are in the Red Zone this is unlikely to be effective. You need to be discussing the different Zones and tools they can use when they are more regulated and calm.
• Regular Check-ins. “How are you feeling now?” and “How can you get back to Green?”
• It is important to remember to show the children how you use tools to get back to the Green Zone. You might say “I am going to make myself a cup of tea and do some breathing exercises because I am in the Blue Zone” and afterwards tell your child how using those tools helped you get back to the Green Zone.
• Share how their behaviour is affecting your Zone. For example, if they are in the Green Zone, you could comment that their behaviour is also helping you feel happy / go into the Green Zone.
• Put up and reference the Zones visuals and tools in your home.
• Praise and encourage your child when they share which Zone they are in.
• Get to know your child’s sensory threshold and triggers.  We all process sensory information differently and it influences our reactivity to situations.
• Empathise with your child and validate what they are feeling.
• Create a ‘calm’ box or ‘sensory box’ full of things which help to keep your child calm or alert.

 

  Useful websites:

https://www.annafreud.org/resources/children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing/self-care

https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/

https://zonesofregulation.com/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/moodboosters