Zones of Regulation
What is the Zones of Regulation?
The Zones of Regulation (ZOR) is a simple approach to developing self-regulation skills in children. We use the ZOR across the school, from Nursery up to Year 6. Children are supported in identifying and naming their emotions and then introduced to a range of 'tools' to help manage these emotions. To aim is to support children in developing their emotional literacy skills so that they can use their 'toolbox' to regulate their emotions independently.
What does Zones of Regulation provide?
ZOR provides a language that is non judgemental and is simple for children to understand. It teaches healthy coping and regulation strategies. If we can recognize when we are becoming less regulated, we are able to do something about it to manage our feelings and get ourselves to a healthy place.
What do the Zones mean?
Blue Zone - low state of alertness, brain/body moving slowly, sad, bored, tired, sick
Green Zone - in control, regulated state of alertness, happy, focused, calm, proud
Yellow Zone - heightened state of alertness but with some control, worried, frustrated, silly, excited
Red Zone - heightened state of alertness, out of control, overjoyed/elated, panicked, angry, terrified
It is import to acknowledge that there is no 'bad zone'. We can experience all of the zones at different times and depending on circumstances. We can't change the way children feel, but we can help them to manage those feelings.
"It's ok to be in the red zone (angry), but it's not ok to hurt others"
We can be in more than one zone at the same time. You might feel sad and angry (blue zone and red zone).
Things we can do to help:
- Talk about the zone you are in - "I'm feeling yellow (frustrated), because I can't find my car keys." "I'm feeling green today, you are being really helpful."
- Label your child's zone to help them - "you look tired, I think you are in the blue zone." "I can see you are feeling yellow (annoyed) because we haven't been able to go to the park today, shall we play a game instead."
- If a child is in the red zone, limit your speech. Acknowledge that they are in the red zone, keep them safe and allow them to calm. This is not a teachable time, they will not be able to listen whilst they are not regulated. Try not to deal with a child who is in the red zone if you are not yet calm yourself. Once they are regulated, you can discuss what happened and what they might be able to do next time to help self regulate. Ask them how their choices made them feel/you feel (empathy).
Please visit the Zones of Regulation website for further help and support - Zones of Regulation website