you prefer), emotions and feelings come in layers. With a teenager, a tween, and a girl of 8 going on 16- emotions are stacked high around here. Thankfully, I have tools that help with emotional regulation skills in my back pocket.
Did you know that self-regulation abilities have a stronger correlation with school readiness than IQ or entry-level reading or math skills? Wow. Let that sink in for a moment. Back in the eighties, my ¨neighbor¨, Mister Rogers, recognized the importance of emotional regulation too and was even quoted as saying ¨I´m convinced that when we help our children find healthy ways of dealing with their feelings - ways that don´t hurt them or anyone else- we´re helping to make a world a safer, better place.¨ ¨I´m convinced that when we help our children find healthy ways of dealing with their feelings -ways that don´t hurt them or anyone else- we´re helping to make a world a safer, better place.¨
So now we know the vital importance of emotional regulation but wherever do we begin to help our children with these so desperately needed skills? Enter The Zones of Regulations by Leah Kuypers. Before I could target a child´s speech and language skills in therapy my students had to be in a state of calmness. While I always hoped to be a place of safety and comfort I often struggled as a therapist (and a mom too) to help find emotional regulation tools beyond taking a few deep breaths. But the Zones teaches children how to describe how their brains AND their bodies feel. Human emotions fall into four categories: blue, green, yellow and red. While the program stresses that it is okay to be in any of the zones it gives children tools to help them get back to the green zone in which they can feel okay, where they can listen, learn and absorb all the knowledge a caregiver or teacher has to share.
Make a board, create a chart, check out the many ideas on our Pinterest board to customize the Zones of Regulation to work for your family. Change the conversation at your house and help your child find the right tools to use when regulating their emotions.
Now, hang tight- I´ll be back. My daughter just moved into the yellow zone thanks to some brotherly love.
Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you. As always, these thoughts and opinions are my own.
8 Comments
Donna Bennett
2/13/2019 08:11:48 am
Another ensightful article - thank you!
Reply
Donna Bennett
2/13/2019 08:15:03 am
Also “insightful”😊
Reply
Janette Reynolds
2/13/2019 11:44:05 am
Wonderful article!
Reply
Kim
10/9/2019 08:30:26 pm
Do you have your zones images from this article for sale as a printable anywhere?
Reply
Cat Brown
11/19/2019 03:25:28 pm
Hi Can I ask where did you get these lovely zones of regulation images from? I teach children with ASC in UK and would love a copy for my classroom. Thank you :)
Reply
morah
8/24/2020 06:50:43 pm
Hi,Great signs!! would you be able to provide me with the link for the clipart above?
Reply
Jen
9/20/2020 04:07:27 pm
These are great images! Are you able to provide a link from where you got them?
Reply
Victoria
11/12/2020 10:54:20 am
The clipart for the zones is amazing. I was wondering if they are available to use?
Reply
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A golden doodle enthusiast, I spend my time loving on my family, juggling theatre rehearsal schedules, and creating opportunities to share my love of communication with the world. Follow us! |
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