Bonus Lesson: What are the zones of regulation?

Today we worked on feelings identification a program purchased for counselors through RCS is called the Zones of Regulation.* It divides emotions into four zones based on the amount of energy each zone uses. I paired pictures of puppies to each zone. The blue zone is the area with the least amount of energy used. When we are tired, or sad, or sick, we are usually in this category.

The second zone is the green zone. In the green zone we are feeling good and ready to learn. We have just enough energy to get through what we need to go through.

The third zone is the yellow zone where we have more energy. We may be excited or upset. We might also be a bit agitated. If we are anxious it might be in the yellow zone.

The fourth zone is the red zone. In the red zone we have tons of energy and use it quickly. This might be someone who is overjoyed, furious, devastated or out of control.

Many times we have to use different practices to help our feelings get more manageable. Understanding the types of feelings that all humans have is the first step on this journey.

To do at home: Ask your children to identify different feelings they have had over the day. Do they fit more in one zone or another? Model for your child what you do to help control your feelings when they become uncomfortable or take too much energy.