Understanding the 'Zones of Regulation'

At Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, we want to teach all of our students good coping and regulation strategies so they can help themselves when they experience different emotions. Zones of Regulation is an internationally renowned intervention which helps children to manage difficult emotions, known as ‘self-regulation’. Self-regulation may be referred to through different names such as ‘self-control’, ‘impulse management’ and ‘self- management’. During Cycle 2, each class will be taught about the zones and how to use them in the most age-appropriate way. Each zone will be introduced through discrete teaching lessons within through our PDS curriculum and all staff will be referring to the zones language as part of daily school life. 

Ultimately, we aim to help students to:

• Recognise when they are in the different zones and learn how to change or stay in the zone they are in.

• Increase their emotional vocabulary so they can explain how they are feeling.

• Recognise when other people are in different zones, thus developing better empathy.

• Develop an insight into what might make them move into the different zones.

• Understand that emotions, sensory experiences, such as lack of sleep or hunger, and their environment might influence which zone they are in.

• Develop problem-solving skills and resilience.

• Identify a range of calming and alerting strategies that support them (known as their personal ‘toolkit’).

What are the zones?

• The Blue Zone: Used to describe low states of alertness (such as feeling sad, sick, tired or bored. Body/brain is moving sluggishly).

• The Green Zone: Used to describe a regulated state of alertness (such as feeling calm, happy, focused or content). This zone is optimal level to learn.

• The Yellow Zone: Used to describe a heightened state of alertness, but with some control (such as when experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, nervousness, confusion - slightly elevated emotions (being fidgety, wiggly, squirmy or sensory seeking). The person is starting to lose control.

• The Red Zone: Used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness or very intense feelings (such as feeling anger, rage, explosive behaviour, panic, terror or elation). Not being in control of one's body.

How can you help your child use The Zones of Regulation at home?

Identify your own feelings using Zones language in front of your child, e.g. I’m frustrated. I think I am in the Yellow Zone.”

• Talk about what tool you will use to be in the appropriate Zone, e.g.: “I need to take four deep breaths to help get me back to the Green Zone.”

• At times, discuss which Zone a character in a film / book might be in, e.g.: “They look sleepy, could they be in the Blue Zone?”

• Teach your child which tools they can use, e.g.: “It’s time for bed. Let’s read a book together in the comfy chair to get you in the Blue Zone.”

• Provide regular check-ins, e.g. “How are you feeling now?” and “How can you get back to Green?”

• Show your child how you use tools to get back to the green zones, e.g. “I am going to make myself a cup of tea and do some breathing exercises because I am in the blue zone”

• Share how you child’s behaviour is affecting your Zone, e.g. if they are in the Green Zone, you could comment that their behaviour is also helping you go into the Green Zone

• Display the Zones visuals and tools in your home

• Praise and encourage your child when they share which Zone they are in