Zones of Regulation

What are The Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation program is a curriculum or framework created by an occupational therapist, Leah Kuypers, which is designed to help a child navigate their sometimes confusing emotions. The curriculum helps a child to achieve self-regulation and emotional control by gaining skills in self-control and problem-solving based on targeted zones that are identified with colors.

These zones help a child recognize, categorize, and communicate their feelings or emotions based on a specific zone. This makes the program an effective and fluid tool for a child to understand, learn, and achieve without feeling judged or different.

Zone colors - what do they mean?

The Red Zone is an extremely heightened state of alertness with intense emotions and is typically viewed as the child being “out-of-control.”

Red zone behaviors might include:

Anger    Rage    Out of control    Mad    “Hands on” physical reactions    Terror    Extreme feelings    

Feel “ready to explode”    Devastation

Red Zone Activities may include:

• Movement

• Heavy work 

• Running, walking

• Deep breaths 

• Listening to music

• Talking to someone

• Activities listed under the other zones

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The Yellow Zone is entering a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions typically viewed as heading toward the red zone, but the child still has some control.

Examples of Yellow Zone behaviors include:

Nervousness    Wiggly    Silliness    Anxious    Worried    Frustration    Excitement

Yellow Zone Activities may include:

• Stretching

• Yoga

• Enjoy nature

• Drink a glass of water

• Listen to music

• Write in a journal

• Activities listed under the other zones

• 
  

The Green Zone is the optimal level of alertness and is typically viewed as the child being “good to go” and ready for leaning and social interactions.

Examples of the Green Zone behaviors include:

Positive responses    Calm    Ready to go    Happy    Focused    Content

Green Zone Activities may include:

• Write in a journal

• List out accomplishments

• Help someone

• Reach out to a friend

• Activities listed under the other zones

• 
  

The Blue Zone is a low level of alertness typically viewed as the child running slow.

Examples of Blue Zone responses include:

Sick    Bored    Tired    Sad    Low energy

Blue Zone Activities may include:

• Talk to someone

• Rest

• Build a puzzle

• Read a book

• Color or draw

• Think about positive mindset strategies

• Activities listed under the other zones

Free downloadable resources from www.zonesofregulation.com 

French resources