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I am planning on making the connection with the calming corner.  I want to introduce this with some different lessons.

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I can’t wait to use this in my classroom! It will help kids when they have specific vocabulary to use when describing their emotions. I plan to use this in my calm down corner and during morning meeting. I also like the idea of during a morning check in with each student!
Sarah Peden

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I plan on displaying the zones of regulation in my Calm Corner and discussing with the students examples in class when I am feeling in the different zones. This is something I might use in my Morning Meetings, as the students are getting familiar with the terminology to describe themselves each day, and then after they have a solid grasp, it will be most utilized in the Calm Corner or for a student to describe how they are feeling.  -Helen

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I plan on modeling this by making it known when I need to do something to regulate myself to get me back into the green zone in front of my students. That way they know that this is a useful life tool! - Stephanie

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I have made a smaller poster of the zones that you can print, laminate, and tape to the back of your key card. ~Abby  :)

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I love the idea of having a daily routine where my students indicate what zone they are in when they enter my classroom. This will be a great way for me to indicate what my students immediately need from me in order to be successful in the resource classroom.

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Here are some posters I have used to teach the zones and help my kiddos get back to the green zone. Liane Schellman

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I like to have the zones of regulation posted in the calming spot.  It provides a great visual conversation starter when I need to visit with a student who is spending some time there.  Amanda McCoy

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I'm going to start using the Zones of Regulation in my room.  I already know several students who will benefit from this.

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Zones of Regulation UNO! I have a copy in my room!-Melinda Bricker

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Calming strategies on fake ice cubes

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Intermediate Zones of Regulation Poster

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Zones of Regulation School Wide Poster Option 2

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Calm Down Cards

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Anger Management for Kids_Calming Down Cards_Very Special Tales_Jan 2019

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Personal zone slider

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Self Regulation Books

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Over the past several months, I've been doing a deep dive into the world of self regulation in order to plan a Tier 1 classroom guidance curriculum. I gathered a big list of books for counselors to either use in their lessons to support the skills taught in the curriculum or for counselors to suggest to teachers in order to create a classroom-counseling connection. The books focus on integral skills such as recognizing emotions, understanding that emotions change, behaviors that are and are not appropriate to the situation, calming strategies, and perspective taking. What self regulation books do you use with your students? Check out the list to see if you find any to add to your shelf!

Pressed for time? See them all here on this Amazon list.

This post contains affiliate links.

Books about Basic Emotions

Before students can begin to understand how to regulate their emotions, they have to first understand what emotions are and how they feel! These books will help students to develop an emotional vocabulary and gain a better understanding of the emotions they experience.
The Way I Feel, Janan Cain In My Heart, Jo Witek The Feelings Book, Todd Parr Glad Monster, Sad Monster, Ed Emberly My Many Colored Days, Dr. Suess Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis When I Feel Angry, Cornelia Maude Listening to My Body, Gabi Garcia The Great Big Book of Feelings, Mary Hoffman
Books About Changing Emotions

When students understand the basic emotions they experience and what they feel like in their bodies, they can then begin to recognize changes in these emotions. They can also detect different levels of emotions. These books will help students recognize changes in the characters emotion and see how the characters manage these changes.
Lizzy's Ups and Downs, Jessica Harper Sometimes I Feel Like a Storm Cloud Double Dip Feelings, Barbara Cain I Hate Everything, Sue Graves When Miles Got Mad, Sam Kurtzman-Counter When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really, Angry, Molly Bang Even Superheroes Have Bad Days, Shelly Becker
If you're looking for an activity for this book, check out this post with a sorting activity for your students.

Books about Behaviors

Understanding what behaviors fit in certain situations is an important self regulation skill!When students understand how their behaviors affect others and how others will respond to their choices, they understand how their choices will affect other people's emotion levels. These books look at behaviors that are inappropriate to the situation and positive alternatives.
David Gets in Trouble, David Shannon David Goes to School, David Shannon No, David!, David Shannon What Were You Thinking? Lisa Griffen It's Hard to be a Verb, Julia Cook Soda Pop Head, Julia Cook My Mouth is a Volcano, Julie Cook What Should Danny Do?, Adir Levy What if Everybody Did That?, Ellen Javernick Do Unto Otters, Laurie Keller I Can Do That! Kayla Marnach I'm in Charge of Me, David Parker The Way I Act, Steve Metzger
Books about Problem Size

Understanding how big problem really is helps students to gauge their responses! These books will helps students understand when they can solve problems on their own and when they should ask for help.
Tattle Tongue, Julia Cook Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal, Jeanie Franz Ransom Bumps, Hills, and Mountains, Julie Balderston
Books about Calming Strategies

Once students understand their own emotional responses and the context of their behavior, they can choose calming strategies that will help them to regulate and make positive choices. These books provide ample strategies for calming the body and mind.
My Incredible Talking Body, Rebecca Bowen
Check out this post for activity ideas and a free printable!
I am Peace, Susan Verde I am Yoga, Susan Verde
For a craft idea for this book and free yoga printable cards, check out this post!
Breathe Like a Bear, Kira Willey The Lemonade Hurricane, Licia Morelli Charlotte and the Quiet Place, Deborah Sosin Anh's Anger, Gail Silver Moody Cow Meditates, Kerry Lee MacLean
Books about Thinking Strategies

Another important aspect of self regulation is understanding how thoughts affect feelings and behaviors. Use these books to help students develop positive self talk, encouraging mantras, and flexible thinking skills.
I Will be Okay, Laurie Wright I Matter, Laurie Wright My Day is Ruined, Bryan Smith Of Course It's a Big Deal, Bryan Smith Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, JoAnn Deak I Think, I Am!, Louise Hay Ish, Peter Reynolds The Dot, Peter Reynolds My New Best Friend, Sara Marlowe Listening with My Heart, Gabi Garcia There's a Bully in My Brain, Kristin O'Rourke
Books about Empathy & Perspective Taking

The ability to see a problem from multiple perspectives helps students to better regulate and choose a response that honors everyone involved. These books will help students recognize that there are always unseen facts and different perspectives!
Stand in my Shoes, Bob Sornson You, Me, and Empathy, Jayneen Sanders Just Because, Amber Housey Hey Little Ant, Phillip and Hannah Hoose They All Saw a Cat, Brendan Wenzel I am the Dog, I am the Cat, Donald Hall The Other Side of the Story, Nancy Loewen
What books do you use to teach self regulation skills? I'm looking for more to support my self regulation curriculum! Let me Let me know in the comments, and be sure to check out these other books that I love!

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Self Regulation Books: 60 Great Titles for School Counseling Activities

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Over the past several months, I've been doing a deep dive into the world of self regulation in order to plan a Tier 1 classroom guidance curriculum. I gathered a big list of books for counselors to either use in their lessons to support the skills taught in the curriculum or for counselors to suggest to teachers in order to create a classroom-counseling connection.

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Coping Skills

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Connection vs. Correction

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Coping Strategies Poster

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I Can Calm Down Adapted Book

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Zones of Regulation Blog Post

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One of the most popular systems taking place in classrooms right now is Zones of Regulation. It sounds great - but do you know what it is? And, if you're a teacher, are you implementing it correctly? Read on to find out more about Zones of Regulation and the benefits of using it. You can also grab free Zones of Regulation posters by signing up to my mailing list here.

What is 'Zones of Regulation'?

I recently overheard a teacher discussing 'zones of regulation' with a parent. She described it as a 'behaviour management tool.' I can see why she came to this conclusion, but honestly, it's not a behaviour management tool. Zones of Regulation is actually a curriculum that is designed by Leah Kuypers. The curriculum is to help the individuals develop skills to help regulate themselves. Self-regulation is really important for our children, and the zones of regulation helps to promote this.

Now, the teacher who referred to it as a behaviour management tool - although wrong, she is partly right. The curriculum uses a cognitive behaviour approach. The activities help individuals to learn about each of the four zones, and to recognise when they are in one of those zones.

What are 'Zones'?

There are 4 zones included in the Zones of Regulation and each zone has it's own colour. It's very important that these colours remain the same - no changing them for 'prettier' colours! Each of the zones is based on a feeling/emotion/behaviour.

1. The Red Zone
The red zone is for the most alert and intense feelings. This is to describe feeling angry, out of control, mean etc.

2. The Yellow Zone
The yellow zone is for when individuals feelings are heightened, but not to the extreme. This is to describe feeling silly, worried, frustrated, anxious etc.

3. The Green Zone
The green zone is probably the best zone to be in. This is when the individual is at their best for learning and interacting. The green zone is to describe feeling calm, happy, focused, ready to learn etc.

4. The Blue Zone
And finally, the blue zone. This is the least heightened of all the zones. This is generally used when the individual is feeling 'down' - hence the blue fits nicely here. The blue zone is to describe feeling bored, tired, sick, sad etc.

How does it work?

You can complete a variety of different activities to put the Zones of Regulation into practice. The activities will teach individuals the ways that they can recognise what zone they are in. It will also help them to self regulate and get themselves to that important green zone. We can also provide them with the tools they may need. Over time, we can pull back and allow them to seek those tools they need on their own.

What should I put in a 'cool down' box?

Think of your students and their sensory needs, although we try to include something for each sense in our boxes. Our students are pretty good at just tossing aside what won't help them, and seeking out the item that they know will help them. Some examples are;
Touch - squeezy ball
Hear - musical instruments. We recorded calming songs on little buttons that the children love
See - liquid timer, my students always find these very relaxing
Taste - A lot of people don't want to provide something edible for taste and that's ok. We do try to avoid food in most places, and we often offer a chewy toy. This has always gone down well and can help reduce some tension for our students.
Smell - candles are a firm favourite for our students here.

We also like to include some extra bits that we know they like. Many of our students respond really well to social stories or picture books about different emotions. These are all great ways to let students know that it's ok how they are feeling and how to work through it.

Benefits

What are the real benefits of the Zones of Regulation? There's probably too many to list! A group of us brain stormed together and came up with the most important benefits that we have noticed since using Zones of Regulation;

Our students were able to recognise what zones they were in. But, it also helped them to start to recognise what zones those around them are in.

Many of our students can change mood , and it's not always easy for us to spot the reason why. But sometimes, us trying to find out why can actually make the situation worse. The zones of regulation has allowed our students to recognise their own feelings. This has in turn helped them realise what zone they are in. They then go to our visual chart and look for ways they can calm down - or remember their choices.

Before Zones of Regulation, many of our students felt like they couldn't come back down to calm. This would mean, they would stay at a heightened behaviour for most of the day. This could have an effect on those around them too. The visual poster on display helped give them ideas of how they can calm down. It also showed the students that they can get back to the green zone and how they can self-regulate.

Our students have a peg with their face on by the Zones of Regulation poster. Through the day, we encourage them to go and check on their zones and if they need to update. Many now do this independently . This lets us know how our students are feeling. It gives us a heads up and allows us to adapt upcoming events/activities that we know may cause a knock on effect.

We have introduced Zones of Regulation to many of our main stream classes. The children respond well to it there too. They love to look after their friends and check on how they are doing too.

Who can teach the Zones of Regulation?

Anyone! It would definitely be beneficial to go on one of the courses that are provided to learn more about Zones of Regulation, but there are also lots of great resources and books that you can purchase to find out more. You can introduce the Zones at school, home, in therapy etc. We just recommend everyone involved follows the same approach and keeps it consistent to avoid any confusion.

What are some important things to remember?

First of all, remember that it's ok for students to be in any of the zones. Never punish them for being in the 'red zone' - remind them it's ok to be in the red zone. Talk about why people may end up in the red zone and what can contribute to this. Then use this as a way to talk more about the causes, what they can do instead, and how they can get back to green. There are no bad feelings!

Choices. Have posters to show your learners the choices that they can make. You can also show them ideas on how they can get back to the green zone.

It provides teaching staff the tools to know how the individual is feeling. If your student is in the red zone, whatever you teach them, they may not remember.

Provide your students with the tools that they need to help themselves get back to the green zone. Then, you can start to withdraw your support. This gives them more independence to help self-regulate.

Be consistent. You don't want to confuse anyone, so make sure to be consistent with your Zones of Regulation and how you use them, across all settings.

What do you think about the Zones of Regulation? Do you use the Zones of Regulation? Where - at home? In the classroom? At therapy?

If you like this blog post, please share it with your friends on social media.

Also, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter - where you'll get a great free download to use with your students.

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One of the most popular systems taking place in classrooms right now is Zones of Regulation. It sounds great - but do you know what it is? And, if you're a teacher, are you implementing it correctly? Read on to find out more about Zones of Regulation and the benefits of using it.

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Details on the Zones of Regulation

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Learn about the Zones of Regulation a powerful framework and curriculum to help students develop emotional self-regulation and control.

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Learning to identify and regulate emotions is a big job, especially for little kids. These skills are essential for students to master in order to be successful in school and in life. Fortunately there are plenty of Zones of Regulation activities and games to help teach them how to manage their emotions.

What are the Zones of Regulation?

Zones of Regulation, a curriculum developed by Leah Kuypers, an OT and autism resource specialist, helps kids understand and learn to manage their emotions. Rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, it is a framework that uses four colors-blue, green, yellow, and red-to help students identify their feelings and levels of alertness. The curriculum also provides strategies to support emotional regulation. Teaching students how to read their bodies' signals, detect triggers, read social context, and consider how their behaviors impact those around them leads to improved emotional control, sensory regulation, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills.

To learn more about the Zones of Regulation, check out this unit by The Calming Corner, these resources from He's Extraordinary, and this slideshow from the Montana CEC.

What is emotional regulation?

According to Psychology Today, emotional regulation is the ability to control your emotions and not let them drive your actions. For students, starting with emotional regulation is truly starting at the beginning of SEL skills. Before kids can listen, have empathy, or follow directions, they have to be able to manage their emotions.

Emotional regulation means being able to identify feelings, respond without overreacting, and manage changes in the environment. In addition, emotional regulation means controlling impulses, being able to calm down, and handling emotions in a healthy way. To learn more, check out What Is Emotional Regulation?

The 4 Zones of Regulation and What They Mean

The Zones of Regulation provides an easy way to think and talk about how we feel on the inside and sorts emotions, all of which are expected in life, into four colored zones.

The Blue Zone represents sad, bored, tired, or sick.

The Red Zone represents overjoyed, panicked, angry, or terrified.

The Yellow Zone is worried, frustrated, silly, or excited.

The Green Zone is happy, focused, proud, and calm.

Zones of Regulation Activities

To help you integrate this helpful information into your classroom, here are 23 engaging Zones of Regulation activities to support the emotional growth of your students.

1. Identify feelings by giving them a color

Being able to recognize emotions is important. This color wheel will help kids start to identify their emotions by associating them with different colors. Once they have a grasp on what emotions feel like, students can begin to learn strategies to deal with them. Check out these Zones of Regulation activities that incorporate this emotion wheel.

2. Play a round of Monster Feelings Match-Up

Identifying and labeling feelings in oneself and others is a life skill that takes lots and lots of practice. One of kids' favorite Zones of Regulation activities is Monster Feelings Match-Up. This fun game teaches kids how to identify their feelings and manage their emotions and also fosters their conversation skills.

3. Go on an emotions scavenger hunt

A super-fun activity to help students identify feelings by using emojis and their power of observation. Recently updated for at-home learners as well as whole-class Zoom lessons, check out the full lesson plan. Best for grades K-6.

4. Make cootie catchers

You know kids are going to make cootie catchers anyway, so why not make a version that helps kids review and understand the Zones of Regulation? Each color-coded corner teaches students the feelings and coping skills that go along with each zone. Best for grades 3 and up.

5. Play the Emotions Sorting Game

Linking Zones of Regulation activities to fun experiences helps kids make connections. For example, this simple Emotions Sorting Game inspired by Disney-Pixar's Inside Out helps kids learn and explore emotions. The game is a printable download available from Mom Endeavors.

6. Make a calm-down sandwich

When students get angry or frustrated, they can use this coping strategy to help calm themselves down. Ask them to brainstorm six things that make them happy or feel calm inside. Then, have them write down their strategies on each piece of a calm-down sandwich.

7. Play Behavior Bingo

Distinguish between awesome actions (like showing respect and encouraging others) and bummer behavior (like using hurtful words or goofing off during work time) with this fun version of bingo. Five awesome actions in a row = BINGO! Great for small groups or the whole class, grades 1-4.

8. Practice impulse control with this version of Candy Land

Games are the best way for kids to learn without even realizing they're learning! These custom-made cards go along with the standard version of Candy Land and help kids learn impulse-control skills. Best for grades K-3.

9. Make emotion-regulation spinners

This fun activity is a great addition to your calm-down corner. Students can pick strategies that work for them to get into the green zone and back on track. Best for grades K-5.

10. Play a round of What Zone Would I Be In if ...?

This free activity includes 30 cards with hypothetical situations, plus a page for sorting the cards into the zones. Read the cards and let students decide which zone they feel they would be in if this happened to them. You can ask questions about why they feel that way to encourage discussion.

11. Teach the Zones of Regulation with this fun song

This catchy tune by the fun crew at BlackBerry Jam Kids teaches kids all about the different emotions in the Zones of Regulation and strategies to get back into the "green zone."

12. Create a sensory break center in your classroom

Provide students with a safe place to take a break when they need to regulate their emotions. Include resources for strategies that will help them manage. For a free copy of the poster shown and tons of great ideas for what to include in the space, check out The Dynamic Duo. Best for grades K-8.

13. Stock your sensory break center with strategy cards

These awesome break cards tap into a favorite set of characters: Pokemon! Each card helps students identify which "zone" they are in and strategies for managing the emotions they are feeling. Available as a PowerPoint, Google Slideshow, and also a printable PDF. Includes four cards for each of the four zones.

Source: Social CJ

14. Empower students with these contingency maps

Throughout the school day, students make behavior choices (for better or worse). Use these picture maps to help students understand the consequences of making different choices. They are very effective because they illustrate the results of both desired and undesired behaviors in a concrete way. Best for students in K-5.

15. Role-play with task cards

Role-play is a great activity for helping students rehearse acceptable behaviors. These task cards help students build emotional self-control by rehearsing responses to different scenarios that may trigger strong emotions. Best for grades 4-7.

16. Build emotional toolboxes

What can students do to regulate their emotions when they veer away from the green zone? This toolbox of activities includes a handy flip-book that's chock-full of ideas. Each tab covers a different zone and gives students strategies to regain control. Best for students in K-3.

17. Encourage self-regulation with these desk nameplates

Post these interactive nameplates on students' desks to help them self-regulate their emotions and feelings by paying attention to what zone they are in. Throughout the day, students self-monitor their emotional state by sliding a paper clip along the zone boxes on the left. If students are in the yellow, blue, or red zone, they can use one of the strategies in their toolbox to help them get back to green. Each student's toolbox will vary, depending on which strategies work best for them. Best for grades K-5.

18. Share resources with families

Meltdowns and emotional regulation impact the entire family. Share this blog with families to help them develop strategies with their kids at home. Full of helpful tips and valuable information, this is a great resource to help support calmer, happier kids.

19. Display information about the zones front and center

Keeping the information students need front and center will help them begin to recognize which "zone" they are in and help them learn to regulate their behavior.

20. Help students identify what anger feels like

Use this free printable to go through each of the anger cues with your students, and if they feel that the statement is true for them when they're angry, have them color the word bubble red. Also get the When I Feel Sad printable at the link.

21. Create a Zones resource folder

Fold legal-size file folders to create a pocket on the bottom. Trim off the edges and use hot glue to turn the large pocket into four sections (red, yellow, green, and blue). Color and label the sections based on the Zones. Have students label craft sticks with either emotions or coping strategies to insert into the correct pockets.

22. Use a feelings thermometer

To help kids understand the intensity of an emotion they are feeling, create a feelings thermometer. Draw the outline of a thermometer, then divide it into three sections. Label each section. For example, use slightly angry, really angry, super angry. Talk about each section and label each with what it looks like and strategies for things to do.

23. Practice self-control with bubbles

This is a really fun activity to talk about self-control with kids, and it's harder than it looks! Label a special bottle of bubbles "Self-Control Bubbles" and gather kids in a circle. For the first round, blow bubbles and allow students to pop, touch, chase, and catch the bubbles to their heart's desire (within control). However, for the second round, tell the students that they are going to practice using self-control. Bubbles will be all around them, but the students must use their self-control strategies and not touch or chase the bubbles. Afterward, talk with kids about how it felt and how they managed to control their impulses.

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23 Zones of Regulation Activities To Help Kids Manage Their Emotions

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These Zones of Regulation activities teach students to identify and manage their behavior and regulate their emotions.

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Back to school time can be a wonderful, exciting time for some students and a frustrating, new experience for other students. School based therapists can help students develop strategies from a sensory motor perspective to remain calm when they get angry or frustrated A new, huge collection of visual images that includes 26 calming strategies for the classroom has just been published.

You can download the Take 10 Deep Breaths calming strategy in color or black and white for FREE.

The 26 visual images for Calming Strategies for the Classroom include:

1. Take 10 deep breaths.

2. Think happy thoughts.

3. Count to 10.

4. Squeeze a stress ball.

5. Do some exercises.

6. Get a drink of water.

7. Read a book.

8. Rock gently on a ball.

9. Relax on pillows.

10. Take a walk.

11. Listen to music.

12. Do wall push ups.

13. Do yoga.

14. Play quietly.

15. Chew gum.

16. Write in journal.

17. Give yourself a hug.

18. Use the swing.

19. Spin in a circle.

20. Jump on a mini trampoline.

21. Use the scooter board.

22. Draw a picture.

23. Lay on the ball.

24. Sit on air disc.

25. Balance on a stool.

26. Go to a quiet area.

Here are some suggested uses for the Calming Strategies for the Classroom packet:

Hang up the full size pictures around the room for group instruction.

Print out the black and white versions of the calming strategies and color them in to help the students calm down and reduce stress.

Print out the small cards, laminate and put them on a key ring. When the students need to make choices to help them calm down, they can choose between the visual picture images.

Use the choice board page to help students decide which strategy to use to calm down in the classroom.

Get more details about Calming Strategies for the Classroom.

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Back to school time can be a wonderful, exciting time for some students and a frustrating, new experience for other students. School based therapists can help students develop strategies from a sensory motor perspective to remain calm when they get angry or frustrated A new, huge collection of visual images that includes 26 calming strategies [...]

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games, craftivities, and worksheets that teach kids how to manage their emotions

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https://childhood101.com/take-5-breathing-exercise/