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Zones of Regulation

"Our emotions need to be as educated as our intellect. It is important to know how to feel, how to respond and how to let life in"

The Zones of Regulation is a systematic framework designed to help individuals, especially children, understand and manage their emotions, sensory need, and regulation skills. Created by Leah Kuypers, this framework categorises emotions and states of alertness into four colour-coded zones.

Blue Zone: This represents a low state of alertness. Children in the blue zone might feel, sad, tired or sick. At this time pupils may need support to regain energy.

Green zone: This is the optimal state of alertness. Children in the green zone will be ready to learn, focused and calm. They will feel happy, content or relaxed.

Yellow Zone: This represents a heightened state of alertness. Children in the yellow zone might feel, anxious, frustrated or excited. They need to use strategies to help them to stay in control and make appropriate choices.

Red Zone: This zone signifies an extremely high state of alertness. Children in the red zone are overwhelmed by intense emotions such as, anger, fear or panic. They require strategies to calm down and regain self-control. Many children in this state require support.

At Overseal Primary School, we use the Zones of Regulation across the whole school community. This is embedded through, class discussion, assemblies, lessons and for some pupils’ interventions. At times, all of us (including adults) will find it hard to manage strong feelings and this stops us from having a good day. Children who feel these emotions regularly find it hard to maintain focus and concentration in school. We aim to support children to identify, understand and begin to control their emotions to enable them to ‘self-regulate’. 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.

We will teach the children that everyone experiences all of the Zones. The Red and Yellow zones are not ‘bad’ or ‘naughty’ Zones. All of the Zones are expected at one time or another. We will show them that the Blue Zone, for example, is helpful when you are trying to fall asleep.

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, wonder which Zone your child is in. Or, discuss which Zone a character in a film / book might be in. (e.g.: “You look sleepy. Are you in the Blue Zone?”)
Engage your child in discussion around Zones when they are in the Red Zone is unlikely to be effective. You need to be discussing the different Zones and tools they can use when they are more regulated/calmer.
Teach your child which tools they can you. (eg: “It’s time for bed. Let’s read a book together in the comfy chair to get you in the Blue Zone.”)
Regular Check-ins. “How are you feeling now?” and “How can you get back to Green?”
Modelling It is important to remember to show the children how you use tools to get back to the green zones. You might say “I am going to make myself a cup of tea and do some breathing exercises because I am in the blue zone” and afterwards tell your child how using those tools helped you get back to the green zone.
Share how their behaviour is affecting your Zone. For example, if they are in the Green Zone, you could comment that their behaviour is also helping you feel happy / go into the Green Zone.
Put up and reference the Zones visuals and tools in your home.
Praise and encourage your child when they share which Zone they are in.