Zones of regulation

The Zones of Regulation is a systematic, cognitive behavioural approach used to teach self-regulation by categorising all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete coloured zones

At Katherine Semar we use the Zones of Regulation from Early Years to Year 6 to help children understand their emotional state and to teach the children strategies to self-regulate.

The Zones framework provides strategies to teach our children to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs, and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts. In every class during our weekly lessons, the children explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports so they will have a toolbox of methods to use to move between zones. 

To deepen children’s understanding of how to self-regulate, the lessons set out to teach children 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. 

See below for an information and resource packs to support using the Zones at home.