Zones of Regulation
At Hall Orchard we recognise the importance of promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to our pupils and their families.
We aim to create an open culture around the discussion of mental health and wellbeing and empower our children to be able to regulate their emotions.
At Hall Orchard we have a whole school approach to understanding, identifying and learning to self-regulate our feelings and emotions by implementing the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation teach pupils to identify emotions in themselves and others and provide them with a bank of strategies to help regulate their emotions and improve their wellbeing.
Everyone, from time to time everyone, including adults, find it difficult to manage strong feelings such as worry, fear, sadness or anger, which can stop us from getting on with our normal every day. Children who feel these strong emotions often find it hard to concentrate and learn in school. The Zones of Regulation teaches children strategies to help them cope with these feelings so they can get back to feeling calm and ready to learn. These coping strategies are called self-regulation.
There are 4 zones. These are the zones in more detail
What is the Blue Zone?
The blue zone is used when a person is feeling low states of alertness and down. When in the blue zone a child may feel sad, sick, bored or tired.
How would your child behave in the Blue Zone?
- Absence of feelings
- Irritability
- Lack of pleasure
- Lack of motivation
- Tearful
- Withdrawn
- Difficulty concentrating
What coping strategies do we implement in school?
- Laughing yoga/jokes
- Exercise
- Alerting sensory breaks/ sensory circuits
- Reflecting on what makes us happy
- Talking to our teachers and friends
- Fresh air/walk
- Drink or snack
What is the Green Zone?
The green zone…the learning zone!
We are expected to be in the green zone while learning. It is when our brains and bodies are relaxed and focused! We may feel relaxed, calm and happy.
How might your child behave in the Green Zone?
- Calm
- Happy
- Relaxed
- Content
- Focused
What strategies do we implement in school?
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- PSHE lessons
- Pastoral support/The Hive
- Mental Health Champions
- Mindful activities
- Calm areas on the playground
- Positive behaviour policy
What is the Yellow Zone?
The yellow zone describes a heightened sense of alertness. This isn’t always a bad thing, and you typically still have some control.
How might your child behave in the Yellow Zone?
- Frustrated
- Anxious
- Nervous
- Avoid situations
- Struggle to concentrate
- Excited
What coping strategies do we implement in school?
- Breathing strategies
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Calming areas
- Fidgets
- Time in the calm corner/rainbow room/The Hive
- Talk to a friend or member of staff
What is the Red Zone?
The red zone describes an extremely heightened state of intense emotions. When a child reaches the red zone they no longer able to control their actions or emotions. This is the zone children are in during meltdowns.
How might your child behave in the Red Zone?
- Excessive outbursts
- Fighting
- Shouting
- Irritability
- Acting dangerously
- Lack of control
- Resentful
What coping strategies do we implement in school?
- Talk to an adult
- Hug a teddy
- Pop bubble wrap
- Wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze
- Write down what’s bothering you and rip it up
- Squeeze a stress ball
- Talk about it
- Scribble on paper and crumple it up
- Use breathing techniques
- Do stretches
- Listen to calming music
- Take time out
If you would like to know more about The Zones of Regulation or would like to enquire about our next parent workshop, please contact Rebecca Harrison - PastoralSupport@hall-orchard.leics.sch.uk