The Zones of Regulation

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Self-regulation can go by many names such as ‘self-control’, ‘impulse management’ and ‘self-management’. Self-regulation is best described as the best state of alertness for a situation. For example, when your child takes part in a sports game, they would need to have a higher state of alertness than when, for example, they were working in a library. Remember the concept that there is no “right” level or regulation and there is no “wrong” level. We all have emotions that fluctuate and change and we all have physical responses, behavioral responses to these emotional levels. These responses are not right or wrong either! One of the most important steps to self-regulation is having the self-awareness that something is “off” and we need to do something physically emotionally, or cognitively and that a change must happen. This is where understanding the nervous system is important for the adult in the situation. Understanding what is happening behind the limbic system, the vestibular system, proprioceptive system, and overall sensory processing systems are key.

In the Zones of Regulation program, there are different colors to break up different types of emotions into categories. The colors don’t mean good or bad emotions or emotional/behavioral responses, they are simply a categorizing tool. As support for those struggling with self-regulation challenges, modeling is the strongest tool that we have as adults/parents/therapists to teach kids/teens/others how to cope. Now that you know some zones of regulation activities, you can use them in the classroom or learning environment. Whether that be in the traditional school setting, in homeschooling, or in remote learning settings, the a regulation curriculum or practical self regulation strategies are effective to foster learning. The program supports children and families in better understanding how self-regulation works through concreate concepts, colors, and strategies. Behavioral regulation refers to decisions related to actions and what we say, do, or think in response to inner thoughts and desires.Taste– A lot of people don’t want to provide something edible for taste and that’s ok. We do try to avoid food in most places, and we often offer a chewy toy. This has always gone down well and can help reduce some tension for our students. Self-regulation can refer to emotional regulation or behavioral regulation. Self-reflection of feelings, emotions, and our response to situations is the ability to use emotional regulation. The Zones of Regulation methodology and teaching approach is built upon leading neuroscience and cognitive theories, integrating evidence-based practices:

We want children at Holybrook to grow into successful teenagers then adults. Teaching the children at a young age about managing their feelings will support them in later life so that they don’t turn to negative coping strategies which affect their mental and physical wellbeing. The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum geared toward helping students gain skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using a cognitive behaviour approach, the curriculum’s learning activities are designed to help students recognise when they are in different states called “zones,” with each of four zones represented by a different colour. In the activities, students also learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in a zone or move from one to another. Students explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports so they will have a toolbox of methods to use to move between zones. To deepen students’ understanding of how to self-regulate, the lessons set out to teach students these skills: how to read others’ facial expressions and recognise a broader range of emotions, perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour, insight into events that trigger their less regulated states, and when and how to use tools and problem solving skills. Activities involving blowing e.g. blowing out a pretend candle, blowing up a balloon, blowing bubbles through a straw, straw blow ‘football’ (scrunched up paper) or having a drink through a straw.Know yourself and how you react in difficult situations before dealing with your child’s behaviours. Anybody can face problems in self-regulation and emotional control provided Zones of regulation curriculum offers a common language, uniform visual teaching Tool, and impartial support for each learner, a lot of regular education teachers have acquired it for their entire class, and many districts have acquired zones of regulation as a whole school proactive intervention.

Well, in brief summation, 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.

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This article on using the Mightier program for self-regulation shows how to use the application and game to help a child identify their feelings and utilize coping strategies that impact those various emotional regulation changes. The games adjust to challenge the child as they become more proficient in coping strategies. How they physically feel e.g. in yellow zone I may have butterflies in my stomach or have sweaty palms (if feeling anxious). As a teacher aide, you're a role model for the students. Demonstrate self-regulation techniques when faced with challenging situations. Narrate your own emotional experiences and how you manage them using the Zones. In another great resource, we covered the connection between executive functioning skills and emotional regulation. Self-Control and Self-Regulation What do you think about the Zones of Regulation? Do you use the Zones of Regulation? Where – at home? In the classroom? At therapy?

Review student work samples and videos that illustrate strategies for adapting and differentiating The Zones lessons and concepts for various populations. We are pleased to provide digital versions of three widely used “Reproducibles” from the curriculum book translated into Spanish and French. In addition, you will find the English version in the digital format which is already included with The Zones book. What is the best part about the fun tools I created? YOU can create them and use them with most any regulation program based on the programs framework.

What happens prior to a zones of regulation intervention?

Alertness levels are a key component of the zones of regulation. Students learn to identify their current level of alertness, understand how it impacts their emotions and behaviors, and use strategies to adjust their alertness to an optimal level for learning and interaction. Once these are created, toss only the caps or only the spoons into a grab bag or simply toss them all into one bag. Identifying coping strategies that work for each individual can make all the difference in having a set of “go to” regulation strategies when the need presents itself. Be consistent. You don’t want to confuse anyone, so make sure to be consistent with your Zones of Regulation and how you use them, across all settings.