Articles by our team

How to Use and Understand the Zones of Regulation Model
by Jacinta Yamine - Provisional Psychologist, BPsych (Hons), BPsych (Clinical) Student
October, 2024

​The Zones of Regulation framework [1] is a valuable tool designed to help children learn to recognize and manage their emotions effectively, as well as understand and empathise with the emotions and experiences of others. There are four colour-coded zones: Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red, with each zone presenting different emotional states and corresponding strategies to regulate them. It has been widely used among preschool, primary, and secondary school aged students to foster self-regulation, problem-solving, and emotional control [2]. 

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The Zones:
Blue Zone (Low Energy, Sad, Tired, Bored):

• ​​Description: Children in the Blue Zone may feel sad, tired, or bored. They may experience low energy levels, and difficulties focusing or engaging in activities.
• Regulation Strategies: Encourage activities that promote relaxation and calmness, such as deep breathing exercises, taking a break, or engaging in soothing activities like drawing or listening to soft music.

Green Zone (Good to Go, Happy, Calm):

• Description: Children in the Green Zone may be calm, focused, and able to regulate their emotions. They are ready to learn and participate in activities.
• Regulation Strategies: Reinforce positive behaviours and coping skills. Encourage them to continue what they are doing and maintain their emotional experience through activities they enjoy.

Yellow Zone (Frustrated, Worried, Silly, Nervous):

• ​Description: Children in the Yellow Zone might experience heightened emotions such as frustration, worry, or excitement. They may have lost some control over their ability to regulate their emotions.
• Regulation Strategies: Help the child identify their feelings and use coping strategies like deep breathing, counting to ten, or talking to a trusted adult. Encourage problem-solving and teach them how to recognise what is triggering them.

Red Zone (Angry, Aggressive, Terrified, Out of Control):

• Description: Children in the Red Zone are overwhelmed by intense emotions like anger, aggression, or extreme fear. They are in crisis mode and may have difficulty thinking clearly.
• Regulation Strategies: Ensure safety first. Help the child calm down through techniques like taking deep breaths, using a stress ball, or finding a safe space to cool off. Offer support and reassurance, and when they are ready, discuss what triggered their emotions and other ways to respond. 

How to Use:

1.  Encourage the child to identify which zone they are in at different times throughout the day. This self-awareness helps them take ownership of their emotions and understand that it is okay to experience different feelings.
2. Work with children to create personalised coping strategies for each zone. Some ideas can be taken from those provided above. Ensure these strategies are easily accessible and understood by the child.
3. Practice using the Zones consistently in daily routines, both at home and at school to generalize the skill across settings.
4. After emotional incidents, reflect with the child on what zone they were in, what triggered their emotions, and how they responded. This reflection helps reinforce learning and identify areas for improvement​​

The Zones be a great tool in enhancing a child’s emotional literacy, increasing their ability to self-regulate. This may empower them to navigate heightened emotions, and develop their resilience and confidence in identifying and understanding their own and others emotional experiences.
 
More information can be found at: https://zonesofregulation.com/
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Reference list

1. ​Kuypers, L. (2011). The Zones of Regulation. San Jose, CA: Social Thinking Publishing.
   
2. Kuypers L. M. (2013). The zones of regulation: A framework to foster self-regulation. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 36(4), 1–4.

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