It’s important to teach students, whether at school or at home, to understand and manage physical and emotional states. When it comes to support at home, parents and caregivers are encouraged to maintain open, nonjudgmental communication with the child. Ask simple questions like, “what are you feeling right now and do you know what is making you feel this way?” Sometimes these questions are best answered with a zones chart or other visual aids. The Zones of Regulation, a social-emotional learning curriculum by Leah Kuypers, M.A. ED, OTR/L, helps kids understand there are no “bad” zones. Every child moves through them and they are something every person experiences. The goal is to build awareness of triggers and self-regulation strategies, encouraging students to evaluate their reactions in context and match strategies to their zone. The program has been integrated at schools such as Julie Billiart School. It is important that the child feels empowered to express their feelings and to be understood. Parents should guide conversations to help their child identify triggers. Create a list of triggers and write them down, as this could help the child recognize patterns and build self-awareness. Set routines for daily check-ins and practice strategies regularly — not just during emotional moments. Create a positive environment by celebrating small wins such as recognizing a feeling or choosing a coping strategy and provide positive feedback for the child’s choices.
The Four Color Zones
- Blue: Low energy states like sadness, tiredness or boredom.
- Green: The ideal “ready to learn” state: calm, focused, content.
- Yellow: Elevated emotions — stress, frustration, excitement, silliness — that signal a warning.
- Red: Extreme states — anger, panic,
grief — marked by loss of control.
Smart Tools for Self-Regulation
- Blue Zone: Movement, hydration, deep breaths.
- Green Zone: Focused activities like
note-taking or helping peers. - Yellow Zone: Breaks, stress balls, comforting items.
- Red Zone: Breathing techniques, talking
to someone, requesting a break.
Julie Billiart Schools is a network of
private schools serving K-8 students with mild to moderate learning and social differences in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake. To learn more about JB and its curriculum, visit juliebilliartschool.org.
