"Research has shown that the ability to self-regulate is essential to the development of learning skills and work habits (Baumeister & Vohs, 2011), which are critically important to student success throughout the grades." We have been using the 'Zones of Regulation' as a way to support our students with their self-regulation. We hope to give our learners a good start on their journey to self-regulation. Ontario Kindergarten curriculum has now created 'Self-regulation and Well-being' as one of the main 4 focuses of the program. The curriculum document tells us, "Dr. Stuart Shanker (2013b, p. xiii) identifies the following as six critical elements required for “optimal self-regulation”: when one is feeling calmly focused and alert, the ability to know that one is calm and alert when one is stressed, the ability to recognize what is causing that stress the ability to recognize stressors both within and outside the classroom the desire to deal with those stressors the ability to develop strategies for dealing with those stressors the ability to recover efficiently and effectively from dealing with those stressors" We began our learning by investigating feelings and emotions. We did many activities and spent a couple weeks exploring and learning. We began to slowly introduce the Zones of Regulation to our learners. You can get a copy of the book here. [We did not follow the exact program of the book, but rather used it as inspiration for our own version]. We connected our learning about feelings to the colours of the Zones of Regulation. We then explored each zone in more detail. We used the framework 'looks like, sounds like, feels like" to help our learners use their own experience and to get a full understanding of each zone. We added this work to the wall in our 'Self-Regulation centre' in our classroom. We added photos of our learners demonstrating some of the behaviours and facial expressions you might see for each zone and added those to our wall. Recognizing what Zone they are in and others are in takes some learning. We have been reading a variety of books and discussing what zone we think the characters are in and why. Some of the books we've read are: Since the 'Green Zone' is the zone where we are optimally regulated, we want to support our learners in working to get themselves back to the green zone, should they find themselves in another zone. As a group, they came up with the following list: We have been doing a lot of "noticing and naming" the emotions our learners show throughout the day and then naming the zone they are in. For example, "I see your fists are clenched and you're frowning. I see you're angry and in the Red Zone." We are beginning to work on implementing strategies for our learners to down-regulate (from the Yellow or Red Zone) or up-regulate (from the Blue Zone). Our 'Zones Check-In'. This allows learners to take ownership and to visually see whether they need to up or down regulate. Right now, we give them a strategy we feel will work best (unless they tell us what they need) and are working towards our learners doing this independently. Some strategies we're using: Self-Regulation Centre- we have placed fidget toys and books here for learners to help down-regulate. Yoga- both individually and whole group. Our Yoga centre in the classroom Cosmic Kids Yoga (click for link) Take 5 Breathing- independently or collectively. We (educators and students) are continuing on our learning journey about the Zones of Regulation and ways we can ensure we're regulated (Green Zone) throughout the day. We will continue building independence when up- and down-regulating. We hope you will continue to support the Zones of Regulation at home. If you have any questions, please let us know.
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In this article, we will discuss how to train in Zone 2 and the benefits of this type of exercise.
A bundle of free zones of regulation printables that you can download and use as a supplement to the Zones of Regulation curriculum.
"Research has shown that the ability to self-regulate is essential to the development of learning skills and work habits (Baumeister & Vohs, 2011), which are critically important to student success throughout the grades." We have been using the 'Zones of Regulation' as a way to support our students with their self-regulation. We hope to give our learners a good start on their journey to self-regulation. Ontario Kindergarten curriculum has now created 'Self-regulation and Well-being' as one of the main 4 focuses of the program. The curriculum document tells us, "Dr. Stuart Shanker (2013b, p. xiii) identifies the following as six critical elements required for “optimal self-regulation”: when one is feeling calmly focused and alert, the ability to know that one is calm and alert when one is stressed, the ability to recognize what is causing that stress the ability to recognize stressors both within and outside the classroom the desire to deal with those stressors the ability to develop strategies for dealing with those stressors the ability to recover efficiently and effectively from dealing with those stressors" We began our learning by investigating feelings and emotions. We did many activities and spent a couple weeks exploring and learning. We began to slowly introduce the Zones of Regulation to our learners. You can get a copy of the book here. [We did not follow the exact program of the book, but rather used it as inspiration for our own version]. We connected our learning about feelings to the colours of the Zones of Regulation. We then explored each zone in more detail. We used the framework 'looks like, sounds like, feels like" to help our learners use their own experience and to get a full understanding of each zone. We added this work to the wall in our 'Self-Regulation centre' in our classroom. We added photos of our learners demonstrating some of the behaviours and facial expressions you might see for each zone and added those to our wall. Recognizing what Zone they are in and others are in takes some learning. We have been reading a variety of books and discussing what zone we think the characters are in and why. Some of the books we've read are: Since the 'Green Zone' is the zone where we are optimally regulated, we want to support our learners in working to get themselves back to the green zone, should they find themselves in another zone. As a group, they came up with the following list: We have been doing a lot of "noticing and naming" the emotions our learners show throughout the day and then naming the zone they are in. For example, "I see your fists are clenched and you're frowning. I see you're angry and in the Red Zone." We are beginning to work on implementing strategies for our learners to down-regulate (from the Yellow or Red Zone) or up-regulate (from the Blue Zone). Our 'Zones Check-In'. This allows learners to take ownership and to visually see whether they need to up or down regulate. Right now, we give them a strategy we feel will work best (unless they tell us what they need) and are working towards our learners doing this independently. Some strategies we're using: Self-Regulation Centre- we have placed fidget toys and books here for learners to help down-regulate. Yoga- both individually and whole group. Our Yoga centre in the classroom Cosmic Kids Yoga (click for link) Take 5 Breathing- independently or collectively. We (educators and students) are continuing on our learning journey about the Zones of Regulation and ways we can ensure we're regulated (Green Zone) throughout the day. We will continue building independence when up- and down-regulating. We hope you will continue to support the Zones of Regulation at home. If you have any questions, please let us know.
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Teach your kids about the 3 oceans zones: sunlight, twilight and midnight. Plus, get a free printable zones of the ocean worksheet to reinforce everything they learn!
Handwriting practice doesn’t need to be boring! This handwriting activity uses colored pencils with bright and vivid colors to make a colorful activity that seems more like a game than working on handwriting skills like letter formation and pencil pressure. If you’ve been following The OT Toolbox for long, then you know that creative handwriting ... Read more
Learn about the 5 layers of an ocean (also called ocean zones) with your child using this hands-on activity with materials already in your pantry!
Self-regulation made easy with these #TpT emotional zones posters. Hope everyone is in the green zone today! 💙💚💛❤️
Some time back, I noticed posters like this in our school hallways. I found out from learning support that they were to help the children learn self-regulation. The posters were based on a con…
After reading the story, "The Little Scribble Spot", have students scribble their own spot using the colors that match their emotions in the moment!
A writer details her experience following Blue Zones exercise best practices like walking and gardening in lieu of her normal sweat seshes.
Before you can create your vision, take time to reflect on your core values and passions. This will give you clarity on who you want to be.
Games, songs, and more!
Exercise and Sjogren's Syndrome can seem incompatible, but it is possible, with the right approach. This article explains why it's good and how to readjust your plan.
Used in schools internationally, zones of regulation is a tool for children to identify a feeling and management techniques for self regulation. Parents can use the zones of regulation at home to build familiarity around emotional language and identifying feelings, help to communicate and connect and develop regulation skills that are so important for children’s mental wellbeing. So, what is each zone? BLUE symbolises our lowest level of energy or mood. It encompasses emotions such as tired, sad, sick, bored and lonely. If we are in blue zone, regulation activities that give us more energy or stimulation are often helpful. In the classroom or home these can often be brain breaks, stretching, drinking water, quick burst exercises, talking to a friend or dancing. GREEN zone is where our neutral energy is. It is generally where we feel happy, calm and focused. Some schools use this zone as an ‘aim’ to get to for learning, but at Craftly we like to say that all zones are ok. This is because sometimes we need different energy levels for different things. For example, we need low energy to fall asleep at night. We might need higher energy for a swimming race! Some of the tools to use in green zone support an overall healthy mental mindset, so eating a healthy food, playing, talking with friends or learning something new are all helpful here. YELLOW zone is where our bigger emotions and higher energy levels are at. Although it’s a heightened level of feeling in the yellow zone, we still have a sense of control over them. These emotions may be excited, anxious, frustrated or silly. Yellow zone can help us to fuel competitions, sport, playing but if our goal is to rest, learn, study or feel calm, then we may need to use some regulation tools. Some choices could be to take deep breaths, use a fidget toy, bounce or say positive affirmations. RED zone is where the most intense, overwhelming emotions are - this isn’t just anger, it could be elation or fear. This zone can help us in times of danger as we react quickly, but learning to manage these feelings is valuable. The tools we use here are generally calming, help us to claw back a sense of control and keep safe. These might look like mindful breathing, finding a quiet space, running and taking a break. Remember - all zones are okay! The goal of zones of regulation is to recognise we feel a diverse range of emotions, energy levels and concentration everyday. The more we are aware of these, the better we can become at meeting our goals in the day and using the best regulation tools to do so. If we’re feeling excited in the yellow zone and we’re about to run a race, great! We don’t need to use a regulation tool here because we need that higher level of energy to sprint. Suitable for all children from around 4 years + Made from 0.3mm aluminium metal and printed onto an A4 sheet Includes 15 metal tokens of your choice
A bundle of free zones of regulation printables that you can download and use as a supplement to the Zones of Regulation curriculum.
These Zones of Regulation activities and strategies are beneficial to kids struggling with self-regulation and emotional control through coping strategies.
This hearty and nutritious minestrone soup is brilliant at embracing what you’ve got in your fridge. We make it every month and all the kids love it!
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