Zones of Regulation
What zone are you in if you are calm, ready to learn, and are showing whole body listening?
The Green Zone
You don't get to finish your math worksheet before you have to clean up the materials.
Small problem
You are really angry at a classmate, and you feel like you want to scream.
Taking a break, go for a walk, talk to a grown up.
What is an expected reaction to a small problem?
A small reaction, using a strategy to stay in the green zone, nothing-it didn't bother you.
What might you be feeling in the yellow zone?
Excited, silly, worried, a little out of control.
You fall off of the monkey bars, and really hurt your arm. You have to go to the emergency room in an ambulance.
Big problem
If you need to get a hug as a strategy to get back in the green zone, what zone might you be in?
Blue
What is an expected reaction to not getting called on by the teacher?
A small reaction, feeling a little frustrated, asking the teacher if you can be called on next time.
You are working on an art project, and you spill a whole glass of orange juice on it. What zone might you be in and why?
Blue-you are disappointed because your picture is ruined.
Red-you are angry that your picture is ruined
Yellow-you are upset, but it is not a huge problem.
You raise your hand to answer a problem during math class and you get it wrong. What size is this problem, and why?
Small problem. No one got hurt, and you do not need to get anyone's help to solve it.
take a break, use a focus tool, take deep breathes, go for a walk.
What would your body look like if you were having a big reaction to a small problem?
Screaming, yelling, running away, quitting a game.
The red zone
Someone is being mean on the playground. You ask them to stop and they won't. You need to go get a teacher to help you. What size is this problem?
Medium
You are in the yellow zone and feeling very silly. What strategy can you use to get back in the green zone?
Take a break, take a walk, take deep breathes.
You spill your milk on the floor during lunch, and don't have any more to drink. You say "Awh man" in a frustrated voice and make an angry face. Then you go to get some napkins and clean up the spill. Is this an expected reaction to the problem?
Yes
You are feeling frustrated, and like you might cry. It is hard to focus and you can't concentrate on what the teacher is talking about. What zone are you in and why?
Yellow Zone
A part on your bike is broken, and you lose a race because you cannot finish. You have to take your bike to the repair shop, and it is expensive to get it fixed. What size problem is this? Why?
Medium
You are feeling really sad, and lonely. You really miss your parents while you are at school. What strategy can you use to get back in the green zone?
Talk to a grown up about how you are feeling, ask for a hug, go take a break, or a rest.
Your teacher is asking you to think about something in a new way. You know you are right, but they are asking you for a different answer to a problem. You stop listening, and get really frustrated. You start to cry and yell at the teacher. Is this an expected reaction to the problem? What would be an expected reaction?
No this is a big reaction to a small problem. An expected reaction would be to tell your teacher why you are feeling frustrated, ask to take a break, etc.