Zones of Regulation
 

The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum based around the use of four colours to help children self-identify how they're feeling and categorise it based on colour. The curriculum also helps children better understand their emotions, sensory needs and thinking patterns. The children learn different strategies to cope and manage their emotions based on which colour zone they're in. Additionally, the Zones of Regulation helps children to recognise their own triggers, learn to read facial expressions, develop problem-solving skills, and become more attuned to how their actions affect other people. 

How the Zones of Regulation are implemented in Moira Primary School

• Children are taught about the Zones of Regulation throughout their PDMU curriculum.
• The whole school takes part in Zones of Regulation assemblies.
• There are Zones of Regulation displays across the school environment.
• Staff refer to the ‘Zones’ and model this language when discussing emotions.
• Children are encouraged to use the ‘Zones’ language to express their emotions.
• Children are encouraged to discuss and use strategies to regulate their emotions.
• Every classroom has a toolbox to support children in regulating their emotions.
• Teachers use books that encourage children to discuss their wellbeing and emotions.

How to use the zones at home.

Talk through the zones with your child. Ask them how they would feel in each zone?

1. Discuss what emotion they feel in each zone e.g.  in the yellow zone I may feel worried
2. How they physically feel e.g. in yellow zone I may have butterflies in my stomach or have sweaty palms (if feeling anxious).
3. Then discuss what might they be doing- what be their actions e.g. in yellow zone would they be pacing around, snapping at others, fidgeting?
4. Then discuss how to help them move into the Green zone e.g. if I was in the Yellow zone and feeling anxious I might find competing some yoga stretches/ breathing techniques helps me get back into the green zone. 
5. Create a list of strategies that work for the child- Remind the child that we are all unique and the strategies that work for one person might not help them so they need to think about what would help them. 
6. Remind them that we will experience all zones and there are no good or bad zones- however our success in regulating our emotions depends on us recognising our emotion, understanding it and putting a support strategy in place.

Stories to listen to at home

Blue Zone

What is the Blue Zone?

The blue zone is used when a person is feeling low states of alertness or arousal.

When you’re in the blue zone you may be feeling down – sad, sick, tired, or bored. You’re still in control, as you are in the yellow zone, but with low energy emotions.
 

How would your child behave in the Blue Zone?

• absence of feelings
• irritability
• lack of pleasure
• lack of motivation
• tearful
• withdrawn
• difficulty in  concentrating
   

How might your child be feeling in the Blue Zone?

What strategies can you use at home?

• Listen to upbeat music
• Complete some cardio based exercise
• Get up, get showered and get dressed
• Jump on a trampoline
• Talk to a friend
• Do something creative
• Cuddle or play with pets.  
• Go for a walk
• Plan a fun activity
• Look through old photographs or snap some new ones. 
• Re-watch a funny or inspiring YouTube video.  
   

Stories to listen to at home

Green Zone

What is the Green Zone?

The green zone is used to describe when you’re in a calm state of alertness.

Being in the green zone means you are calm, focused, happy, or ready to learn. This is predominantly the state you want your child to be in. It’s also the state most needed in the classroom in order to learn.

How would your child behave in the Green Zone?

• Calm
• Focused
• Happy
• Content

What strategies can you use at home?

• Self-care- treat yourself to a relaxing bath or night off homework
• Organise your clothes for school the night before to prevent stress
• Spend time with your friends and family
• Take time out to do something you love to do
• Eat healthy and nutritious food
• Drink plenty of water
• Get 8 hours+ sleep. 

Stories to read at home

Yellow Zone

What is the Yellow Zone?

The yellow zone describes when you have a heightened sense of alertness.

This isn’t always a bad thing, and you typically still have some control when you’re in the yellow zone. Being in the yellow means you may feel frustrated, anxious or nervous. But, it could also mean you’re feeling excited, silly, or hyper – which is okay in the right situations.

How would your child behave in the Yellow Zone?

• Avoiding situations
• Avoiding social settings
• Biting nails
• Sleeping issues
• Tearful
• Struggling to concentrate
• Hyper-vigilant

How might your child be feeling in the Yellow Zone?

What strategies can you use at home?

• Breathing techniques

• Take time out
• Relaxing exercises e.g. yoga/ stretches
• Meditation
• Keep a journal
• Make a worry monster
• Listening to calming music

Stories to listen to at home

Red Zone

What is the Red Zone?

The red zone describes an extremely heightened state of intense emotions. When a person reaches the red zone, they’re no longer about to control their emotions or reactions.

This is the zone kids are in during meltdowns. Being in the red zone means you’re feeling anger, rage, terror, or complete devastation and feel out of control.
 

How would your child behave in the Red Zone?

• Excessive outbursts
• Fighting
• Shouting
• Irritability
• Acting dangerously
• Lack of control
• Resentful

How might your child be feeling in the Red Zone?

 What strategies can you use at home?

• Talk to an adult
• Hug a teddy
• Pop bubble wrap
• Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze
• Write down what’s bothering you and rip it up
• Squeeze a stress ball
• Talk about it
• Scribble on paper and crumple it up
• Use breathing techniques
• Do stretches
• Listen to calming music
• Take time out
• Use sensory glitter jars

Stories to read at home