ACTIVITY #1: “Understanding the ZONES of Regulation”

Supplies: Bingo card (printed or one you have made yourself), Emotion Wheel

Theory: In this Activity, the different “ZONES” are introduced, and children will have the opportunity to explore which emotions “fit into” each colour-coded ZONE. The reason the ZONES are colour-coded is to allow children to easily group the emotions together as well as identify the body’s response to those emotions. With this information, children can begin to build self-awareness about what happens in their bodies when they experience different feelings. This awareness will help children to learn different self-regulation tools and strategies. These tools will be explored in future activities.

Activity: Also have a copy of the ZONES of Regulation BINGO Card printed. Alternatively, if you do not have a printer, please use the BINGO Card as a reference and you can create your own Bingo card using paper and markers. Now you can enjoy the Bingo game! Once you have completed the game, please have a review of the ZONES of Regulation CHART and discuss what each ZONE means and what feelings/emotions can be sorted into each ZONE. Since your child has most likely already had some ZONES of Regulation lessons in their classroom during the school year, this activity and chart should provide a review for them.

ACTIVITY #2: “ZONES - Identifying Emotions in Ourselves & Others”

Supplies:

• A device that can access YouTube YouTube Links: Sesame Street: Name That Emotion with Murray! - YouTube (Gr. JK – 2) Inside Out: Guessing the feelings. - YouTube (Gr. JK - 6)

• ZONES of Regulation CHART (see image on left hand side)

Theory: In this Activity, children will be provided with the opportunity to observe the different emotions experienced by familiar cartoon characters in engaging settings, to help support the learning of self-regulation. One of the key components of self-regulation is the ability to recognize one’s own emotions. This skill is developed through reflecting on one’s own experience of the emotion as well as others’ facial expressions and body language. Please use the video(s) provided on the left hand side, to give children the opportunity to reflect on what each emotion LOOKS like.

Activity: Have your ZONES of Regulation CHART ready for reference, then open the video link(s) provided on the left hand side. While you are watching the video(s), allow time for your child to “guess” the emotion. It is OK if they get it wrong, not everyone interprets emotional cues the same way. There will be an opportunity for your child to reflect on the emotions by pausing the video after each emotion and having a conversation about what each character “looked” like and “sounded” like. You can help your child by referencing different things like facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. At this point, if your child would like to change their answer they may. Congratulate them on being able to do this. You can also ask your child, “What ZONE is that character in?” - they can use the ZONES of Regulation CHART to help them complete this task. You can also reflect on a time where you noticed your child in that ZONE – using reallife scenarios will help solidify the learning. Continue this for each emotion and character in the video(s).

Extension: Print off the ZONES of Regulation CHART for your fridge and when you notice a change in “ZONE” with any family member, you can use the chart to reference the family member’s facial expression, tone of voice and/or body language and the ZONE you think they are in. It can also be helpful for you and your child to use the language such as, “I’m in the YELLOW ZONE because I can feel my body ________” or “I can see you are in the BLUE ZONE because your mouth is frowning”. This will further your child’s ability to identify emotional cues in themselves and others.

ACTIVITY 3: “ZONES Tools - What They Are and How to Use Them”

Supplies: Device that can access YouTube Anger Management Story-Children Literature Story Telling Read Along-How - YouTube ZONES of Regulation CALMING STRATEGIES Poster

Theory: The program ZONES of Regulation teaches children to use a variety of strategies: SENSORY (using the body), CALMING (using both brain and body) and THINKING (using the brain). Each child is different; therefore, they all have different sets of tools that they find effective in managing big emotions and impulses. In this activity, your child will have the opportunity to review these different tools and pick which ones work the best for them. REMINDER: Since your child has most likely already had some ZONES of Regulation lessons in their classroom during the school year, this activity should provide a review for them; however, some children may discover different tools to use in the home environment.

Activity: Have your ZONES of Regulation CALMING STRATEGIES Poster and ZONES of Regulation TOOLBOX ready for reference, then open the video link provided. We encourage you to do this Activity as a family. Following that, cut out the toolbox provided, or draw one of your own your own. Then using the ZONES of Regulation CALMING STRATEGIES Poster, have your child cut and paste or draw different strategies that they could use to help with self-regulation when “in” each of the ZONES. This activity is very individualized as many children discover that they need to use different strategies depending on how they feel. Your child may also find it useful for each ZONE to have its own “toolbox”; they may even come up with a strategy that is not listed. That is ok too!

Extension: Use the ZONES of Regulation language in your day to day interactions at home. For example, “I’m in the YELLOW ZONE and I’m going to take some deep breaths to get back to the GREEN ZONE”. Parents are the best teachers of all, and if we role model these new skills, our children will have an easier time remembering to use them when their emotions are in an escalated state.