Social Emotional Library - Zones of Regulation

Self-regulation is something everyone continually works on whether or not we are cognizant of it. We all encounter trying circumstances that test our limits from time to time. If we are able to 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. This comes naturally for some, but for others it is a skill that needs to be taught and practiced. This is the goal of The Zones of Regulation (or Zones for short).

The Zones is a systematic, cognitive behavioral approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete colored zones. The Zones framework provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs, and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts.

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Information collected from: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html

THE FOUR ZONES: OUR FEELINGS & STATES DETERMINE OUR ZONE

The Zones can be compared to traffic signs. A red light or stop sign means stop, and when one is the Red Zone this often is the case. A yellow sign means be aware or take caution, which applies to the Yellow Zone. When given a green light or in the Green Zone, one is “good to go”. The Blue Zone can be compared to the rest area signs where one goes to rest or re-energize.

Read or watch: Giraffe's Can't Dance

Pause and notice the characters.

What zone are they in?

Think you understand how to identify different feelings? Watch this video and test your skills!

blue zone

The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness and down feelings such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.

green zone

The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the zone where optimal learning occurs.

yellow zone

The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions, however one has more control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.

red zone

The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone.

All of the zones are natural to experience, but the framework focuses on teaching students how to recognize and manage their Zone based on the environment and its demands and the people around them. For example, when playing on the playground or in an active/competitive game, students are often experiencing a heightened internal state such as silliness or excitement and are in the Yellow Zone, but it may not need to be managed. However, if the environment is changed to the library where there are different expectations than the playground, students may still be in the Yellow Zone but have to manage it differently so their behavior meets the expectations of the library setting.

Information collected from: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html