🌈 Zones of Regulation at Our School

At our school, we use the Zones of Regulation to help children recognise and manage their emotions. This approach teaches children to identify how they are feeling using four coloured zones:

• Green – feeling calm, focused and ready to learn

• Blue – feeling low, tired, bored or sad

• Yellow – feeling a bit wobbly, anxious, excited or silly

• Red – feeling overwhelmed, angry, or out of control

We emphasise that all feelings are normal and okay – it’s what we do with them that matters. The Zones help children to recognise their emotions and develop tools to regulate them in healthy ways. The Green Zone is when we’re feeling calm, happy and focused – it’s the best zone for learning.

🧠 How We Use the Zones in Class

In every classroom, we have Zones of Regulation posters to support children in identifying how they feel throughout the day. Each child also has their own Zones strip, which they use to check in and reflect on their emotions at different points. Teachers encourage open dialogue about feelings, helping children to talk honestly and safely about their emotions.

Each class explores and shares a range of strategies for managing each zone. Children are encouraged to choose what works for them when their emotions shift. For example:

• In the Yellow Zone (excited, worried, silly), a child might take a short walk to the library or do some quick movement exercises to re-focus.

• In the Blue Zone (sad, tired, bored), a child might use a doodle book, stretch quietly, or take a moment with a drink to re-energise.

• In the Red Zone (angry, overwhelmed, out of control), a child might go to a calm space in the classroom, use a breathing or grounding technique, or speak privately to an adult to help them feel safe and regulated.

• In the Green Zone (happy, calm, ready to learn), children are encouraged to celebrate this feeling and enjoy learning, help others, or be a role model for their peers.

Our aim is to help children recognise their emotions and feel confident in choosing positive ways to manage them, so they are ready to learn and thrive in school and beyond.

🧠 Strategies for Zones 🔄

Below are some useful ideas and strategies that children can use to help manage their emotions throughout the day. These strategies are shared, discussed, and practised in class so that each child can find what works best for them. We encourage children to try different approaches depending on how they're feeling and to know it's okay to ask for help.

As part of our approach, we’ve also been using Digital Backpacks – a supportive tool filled with personalised, practical strategies for each child. These are especially helpful during big emotions when children might feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do. The backpacks provide reminders of calming techniques and helpful choices they’ve discussed and practised, making it easier for them to self-regulate in the moment.