Zones of Regulation
WHAT IS ZONES OF REGULATION?
The Zones of Regulation is an approach based around the use of four colours to help children self-identify how they’re feeling and categorise it based on colour. It is designed to help 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. 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.
It is important that we remind pupils 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 emotions, understanding them and having various support strategies in place.
BLUE ZONE
Used to describe a low state of alertness.
The Blue Zone is used to describe when one feels sad, tired, sick or bored.
GREEN ZONE
Used to describe the ideal state of alertness.
A person may be described as calm, happy, focused or content when they are in the Green Zone.
They feel a strong sense of internal control.
YELLOW ZONE
Used to describe a heightened state of alertness.
A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness or fear when they are in the Yellow Zone.
Their energy is elevated yet they feel some sense of internal control.