The Zones of Regulation, a curriculum developed by Leah Kuypers, is designed to help students recognize which emotional zone they are in and to self-regulate within that zone. It is derived from the cognitive behavior therapy approach. The zones can be broken into four categories - the red, blue, green, and yellow zones. Each one is a different level of alertness and each one is present in all of us at varying times.
Research has shown that the green zone is the optimal zone for learning. However, our job as teachers is not to get students into the green zone. It is to help them recognize that all zones are good and they need to recognize the environment they are in. The relative dysregulation of the yellow zone may be ok on the recess field but must be tempered in the classroom.
We then need to teach students tools for emotional self-regulation, regardless of the zone they may be in. The Zones of Regulation curriculum helps students with their emotional control, sensory regulation, and behavior choices.
The tools in this article will get you started with introducing the zones, teaching regulation strategies, implementing emotional check-ins, and using the strategies in practical ways.
Activities to Introduce Zones of Regulation in Your School Day
1. Use characters from Inside Out to teach the zones
This video provides a helpful introduction to the four zones using a cast of characters already familiar to your students. You can then design age-appropriate visuals about the zones using the Inside Out characters!
Learn more: HollySpring Collinsworth
2. Co-create an anchor chart
Have your students find images related to each zone in magazines or on the Internet. Then brainstorm strategies for managing emotions under each zone. This anchor chart activity serves as both an introduction and a visual reminder for students to access later.
Learn more: Chilton Primary
3. Ask students to identify the different zones in this scene from The Incredibles
My students loved diving into the various zones each character experiences throughout the course of dinner at the Incredibles' house. Hint; every zone is present! The students loved this video so much they asked to watch it again.
Learn more: Anton Lundmark
4. Teach the zones with this catchy song
If you teach younger students, this song can help the concept stick.
Learn more: Singalong Songs
5. Play Zones of Regulation Charaades
Invite students to act out various emotions and have their classmates guess which zone they are in!
Learn more: Manhattan Star Academy
Teaching Self-Regulation Strategies
6. Strategies for Regulation Printable
After teaching my students about the zones, I had them sort these cards by zone. Ask, "Which strategy would you use when you're in the _____ zone?" This is one of my favorite classroom tools!
Learn more: Zones of Regulation Strategy Sort
7. Brainstorm Strategies as a Class
Print this on a large poster paper for another great visual for your classroom! I filled the bottom lines out with students after they did the sort from #6 in small groups.
Get the printable here.
8. Create a toolbox of strategies with students.
Students can personalize the toolbox after they've learned various strategies. Ask, "which strategies work best for you?"
Learn more: Wisconsin School Counselor Association
9. Help students identify their triggers.
It is imperative that students know their warning signs and what may push them into a different zone, particularly one in the wrong time and place. Use this resource to help students identify their triggers and warning signs.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
10. Play Zones of Regulation Uno
Here is a fun way to introduce your students to strategies in the toolkit. Click here to read more.
Learn more: Blog Lovin'
Use Zones of Regulation for Emotional Check-Ins
11. Clothespin check-in
This system gives you a quick glance at how your students are coming into class. Be sure to check in on your red-zone friends and help them out with strategies.
Learn more: Clara Gosselin-Beam
12. Goal setting is a great part of a zones check-in
Invite students to set a goal at the beginning of class. This can help them get into the green zone which we know is optimal for learning. Having students self-assess at the end of the class increases their self-awareness.
Learn more: Pinterest
13. Include a check-in for different class periods
This tool can help you track how students are feeling about their various subjects. It can also help identify how students typically do at different parts of the day. Adjust your practice accordingly.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
14. Big Problem vs. Small Problem
Teach students that the size of their reaction should match the size of the problem. Click here to read more about thinking strategies to help with unexpected behaviors.
Learn more: Loudoun County Public Schools
Best Strategies to Regulate Emotions
15. Lazy 8 or Infinity Breathing
Infinity breathing is great for the Yellow Zone to help students manage increasingly escalated emotions. And how zen is this poster? Click here for the printable version.
Get the printable here.
16. Yoga
Yoga is a powerful tool to help regulate emotions in the yellow zone and to maintain emotions in the green zone.
Learn more: Mindful Minutes
17. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
PMR helps students relieve tension and grow in mindfulness. I love this practice myself! Try it out before teaching it to students.
Learn more: Go Zen Online
18. Create a Calm Down Corner in your classroom
The Internet is full of resources for this kind of a spot in your classroom. Empower students to use this space of their own volition. This will teach them to be in tune with their emotions and self-regulate. Here are some tips on creating the perfect calm-down corner in your room.
Learn more: Differentiated Teaching
19. Add Zones of Regulation Nameplates to Students' Desks
This interactive nameplate will help students assess where they are in real-time without even leaving their seats. How handy! Pair it with a small guide to coping tools and you can support students with choosing the right strategies for themselves.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
20. Use meta-cognitive questioning
Avoid telling students to "get in the green zone". Rather, help them acknowledge that all zones are good and they do need to consider the environment for any particular behavior. Click here to read more about the rationale behind the language used in these questions.
Learn more: Zones of Regulation
You can help foster regulation, teach impulse control skills, and provide in-the-moment social learning for your students as you introduce them to Leah Kuypers' Zones of Regulation. I trust you will find success implementing the language of Zones of Regulation into your classroom!
30 Creative Preschool Telling Time Activities