Understanding the Zones of Regulation
At our school, we use the Zones of Regulation to help children understand and manage their emotions. The Zones of Regulation is a simple but effective way for children to recognize how they’re feeling and learn strategies to regulate their emotions. There are four zones: Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red. The Blue Zone is when someone feels tired, sad, or low energy. The Green Zone is when they feel happy, calm, and ready to learn. The Yellow Zone is when they start to feel frustrated, worried, or excited, and the Red Zone is when they feel very angry, overwhelmed, or out of control. It’s important for children to know that all zones are normal and that emotions change throughout the day.
You can support your child at home by talking about the Zones in a natural and open way. If your child seems upset or tired, you might say, “It looks like you’re in the Blue Zone. What could help you feel more energized?” If they are excited or frustrated, you could acknowledge it by saying, “I see you’re in the Yellow Zone. What can we do to help you feel calm?” By using this language at home, you’re helping your child become more aware of their feelings and how to manage them. You can also share your own emotions, such as “I’m feeling a little stressed right now. I think I need to take some deep breaths.” This shows your child that everyone experiences different emotions, and we can all use strategies to manage them.
To help your child develop self-regulation skills, encourage them to think of strategies that work for them. For example, if they are in the Blue Zone, they might need a snack, a movement break, or a fun activity to boost their energy. If they’re in the Yellow or Red Zone, they might need to take deep breaths, count to ten, or have some quiet time. Every child is different, and it’s important to find what works best for them. By practicing these conversations and strategies at home, you’re giving your child the tools they need to handle their emotions in a healthy way at school and beyond!
As always, please feel free to reach out if you’d like some support or resources for your child/ren.
Sarah Weichert
sarah.weichert@education.vic.gov.au