The Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation Curriculum
The Zones of Regulation, created by Leah Kuypers, M.A, ED, OTR/L is an evidence based curriculum and framework that teaches children about self regulation and how to control their emotions. The Zones can be used by teachers, licensed clinicians, parents, and others to both teach self regulation tools and provide support while children experience and navigate heightened emotions. 

Some skills that children learn through the Zones framework include how to identify feelings/levels of alertness, an understanding of emotions in the context of the situation, identifying triggers and coping strategies, as well as helping the child gain an understanding that their reaction to problematic situations should match the severity of the problem. The Zones introduce several activities and discussions that help students develop social, emotional, and sensory regulation. 

The framework provides tools that support positive mental health and social emotional learning, and is also trauma informed and inclusive of learners with neurodiversities. The ultimate goal of the Zones curriculum is to help children move towards independent regulation, which is a vital skill as they grow into adulthood. 

Additionally, it is important to understand that the goal of the Zones curriculum is not to stay in the ideal zone all of the time, but rather, to have tools and skills available for the child to use when they experience a variety of emotions. It’s normal for kids to have a variety of emotions throughout the day and it’s typical for kids to become tired, frustrated, angry, or bored. The Zones doesn’t simply teach kids how to be happy and focused all the time, but what they can do when they experience their wide range of emotions. 

What are the Zones?
There are four zones that the curriculum uses (each associated with a color) in order to teach children about their regulation and help them understand how their emotions impact their reactions and social interactions. The four zones have various emotions associated with them, and can describe the child’s overall level of alertness and regulation. 

• The Green Zone: An overall calm state of alertness. A person in this zone can be happy, content, focused, calm, proud, etc. This is the ideal zone for individuals to be in when learning. 
• The Yellow Zone: A heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions. A person is beginning to become dysregulated. Emotions include worried, anxious, frustrated, excited, silly, etc. 
• The Red Zone: An extremely heightened state of alertness and intense emotions. This is the Zone that children are in when they experience meltdowns and are sometimes unable to communicate clearly. Emotions that are common in this Zone include angry, panicked, terrified, elated, etc. 
• The Blue Zone: Low states of alertness and down/sad feelings, including sad, tired, bored, sick, etc. People may be in the blue zone when they are not feeling well, are unable to focus due to sleep deprivation, or are not engaged in the task or activities that they are working on. 

How Parents Can Teach the Zones 
Before teaching the Zones, it may be helpful to have an understanding of your child’s behaviors, triggers, and emotions. This will help pinpoint why your child is having difficulties and what specific ways you can support your child. It can be helpful to think about what zone your child is usually in and what you are currently doing to help them regulate. 

When your child is stressed or dysregulated, they are unable to access their prefrontal cortex, which affects their ability to absorb information and utilize self control. Be mindful of this when introducing the Zones and teaching your child about them. You want to choose a time when they are calm and feel comfortable to teach and practice. If your child becomes dysregulated, it is encouraged to take breaks. 

You can help familiarize your child with the Zones language by identifying your own feelings and then describing what Zone you are in. You can also identify what Zones your child may be in throughout the day when they are first learning the Zones, so they have an increased understanding of which emotions are associated with each Zone and how that feels in their bodies.

Providing positive reinforcement and simple praise to your child when they are in the Green Zone or are trying to stay in the Green Zone can be helpful to help reinforce self regulation and also provide your child with some confidence. You can also talk about what tool you will be using to get yourself into the appropriate Zone to further increase understanding. 

Tools for Self Regulation
It can be helpful to be aware of some general tools for self regulation that the curriculum provides. It is important to try different skills and ideas to figure out what is the best fit for your child. You want to help them build a toolbox (you can find an interactive and printable worksheet here) of regulation skills (Lesson 13). Skills include:

• Sensory supports:
  • Bear hugs, swinging/rocking, jumping on a trampoline, rolling on an exercise ball, chewing foods, going for a walk, blowing bubbles, doing wall push ups or other appropriate exercises, listening to music, sensory tools (fidgets, weighted blankets, things that smell good or calming, etc.)  
• Thinking strategies: 
  • Teaching about the “size” of the problem; is this problem a 1 (tiny problem) or a 5 (huge problem?)
  • Teaching about the child’s Inner coach vs inner critic; encouraging the child to adapt a growth mindset and helping them see that mistakes help them improve
• Calming strategies: 
  • Breathing techniques (lazy 8 breathing, the six sides of breathing, square breathing), counting techniques, puzzles, listening to music, reading, art

Additional Information
Sunfield Center has several clinicians who utilize the Zones of Regulation curriculum in therapy sessions. Contact Sunfield Center if you feel your child may benefit from therapy sessions that utilize the Zones of Regulation curriculum. More information about the Zones and the curriculum can be found on the Zones of regulation website. 

Resources

Kuypers, L. M., & Winner, M. G. (2021). The zones of regulation: A curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control. Think Social Publishing, Inc.