How do you know when your child is open and ready for feedback? When is it time to focus instead on helping him or her “just” calm down? One way to assess can be found using the Zones of Regulation (Kuypers, 2011). Kuypers postulates the existence of four different states (zones) of arousal/readiness, as described below.

The Zones of Regulation are:

1. A framework to teach children self-regulation
2. A means to encourage children to use tools to shift between zones

Four different zones are described:

Blue zone:

• Low state of alertness
• Can be seen as a rest area

Green zone:

• Good to go!
• Regulated state of alertness
• Calm, happy, focused or content
• A place of control

Yellow zone:

• Proceed with caution/slow down
• Heightened state of alertness
• Stressed, frustrated, anxious, excited, silly, nervous, confused, etc.
• Some control is had here/starting to lose some control

Red zone:

• STOP – out of control, will have difficulty making good decisions
• Extremely heightened state of alertness/very intense feelings
• Anger, rage, explosive behavior, panic, terror
• Not being in control of one’s body

What a parent can do:

• Teach:
  • Help your child understand that we all experience different zones and that we all use strategies to regulate ourselves
  • Help your child gain awareness of different zones
  • Share with your child how his or her behavior is impacting the zone you are in and how you feel
  • Show interest in learning about your child’s triggers and Zones tools. Ask your child if he or she wants reminders to use those tools.
  • Help your child brainstorm ways to self-regulate to stay in/get back to Green zone
• Reinforce:
  • Positively reinforce your child for recognizing his or her zone and managing behaviors while in it.
  • Positive reinforcement for when your child is in a Green zone OR is making attempts to remain in the Green zone
  • Positively reinforce your child for using a tool for regulation
• Practice:
  • Help your child to learn to identify triggers
    • What events or situations pushed your child into a yellow or red zone recently?
  • Pick tools together for your child to use to help in his/her return to a Green zone

Tools for regulation

1. Sensory supports
   • Fidgets, weighted blanket, noise-cancelling headphones, swinging, jumping, exercise
2. Calming techniques
   • Variety of deep breathing techniques or muscle relaxation techniques
3. Thinking strategies
   1. Big problem/Medium problem/Little problem
   2. Self-talk: inner coach vs. inner critic

Interested in learning more? Contact me to schedule an appointment.