The ZONES of Regulation
Introduction to Regulation
NOt as simple as what we can see
What is Regulation?
The ability to adjust level of alertnessAND direct how emotions are revealed behaviorally in order to achieve goals, meet demands and support your well-being.
info
Co-Regulation
Regulation that occurs in the context of a Social Interaction, such as:
- Student seeks assistance from teacher/caregiver
- An individual responds to another in attempt to support him or her when facing a stressor
Why Teach Regulation?
- Self-regulation abilities have a stronger correlation with school readines than IQ or entry-level reading or math skills
(Blair 2002-2003, Normandeau & Guay 1998)
- Higher academic achievement
- Decrease in classroom behaviors, increase in classroom management
Neurobiological in Nature
- Neurobiological underpinnings
- Hormones
- Neurotransmitters and pathways
- Sensory
- Be mindful it is a developmental process
- Learning process that is rarely mastered
Development of Regulation
Initial Behavior Strategies
- Use behavior to get needs met
- Co-regulation needed
- Sensory-motor strategies
Process into Language Strategies
- Words & symbols to regulate
- Express emotional state to co-regulator
- Negotiate concerns
Final Level- Metacognitive Strategies
- Internalizing a dialog
- Reflect on cognitive processes that support regulation
- Recognize another's perspective & social conventions
*Support/guidance (verbal techniques, sensitivity, expectations) from cargivers IS KEY in development of these strategies*
ACES: ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Increase in ACES correlates with increased risk of:
Depression
Mental Distress
VS
Disabiility
The Nature of Regulation
What's Under the Hood? Neurobiological components
- Sensory Processing
- Executive Functioning
- Emotional Regulation
- Social Cognition
- Trauma Exposure
What's the Terrain? External Factors Impacting Regulation
Lived Experience, Culture, Sociopolitical Factors, Access
Under the Hood Considerations
Sensory Processing & Modulation
Executive Functioning
Social Cognition
Emotional Regulation
Emotional Regulation
- Feelings are innate, we can't change how we feel
- We can help learners learn how to monitor, evaluate, and modify the intensity & temporal features of their emotional response
- Both Instrinsic and Extrinsic processes are responsible for regulating the emotional reactions in order to meet one's goals
Executive Functions Connections with Regulation
Impulse Control
Working Memory
Self-Talk
Flexibility
Reflect on past experiences and code new information to help predict what you may experience
Consider multiple options, revise plans, adapt to change
Internal speech used to guide behavior
Thinking before acting
"Anyone can become angry, that is easy...but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way...this is not easy." -Aristotle
Reframe Our View of Behavior
Cultural Responsiveness
Remind Yourself
Be Mindful
- Students can DIFFER in perception of feelings/behaviors.
- Practice with scenarios RELEVANT to their daily lives.
- Never force learners to Zone check-in.
- Behavior challenges occur when the TASK or SITUATION is beyond our CAPACITY to cope.
- Our bank of coping capacity is ALWAYS changing.
- Some students are more abundant of skills than others.
- Empathize, support, and teacher RATHER THAN punish, shame, and demean.
Introduction to the Zones
A Simple way to think, talk (teach), and care for our feelings
What is the Zone of Regulation Framework?
A simple way to think about, talk (and teach) about, and care for our feelings.
- Easy Language
- Visual Structure
- Systemic
Set the Tone!
First Step in UsingThe Zones of Regulation...
REFLECTION:What can you do to create a POSITIVE CLIMATE for all in your setting?
Goals of the Zones Curriculum
Teaches Learners
- Identify feelings, energy, and level of alertness
- Know what regulation tools work and when/how to use them
- Understand the social context as it relates to regulation and goals
- Problem solve positive solutions
Ultimate Goal...
Independent Regulation & Well-Being
Blue Zone
- Low state of alertness & energy
- Down feelings
- May feel:
Green Zone
- Calm & organized state of alertness
- Neutral emotions
- May feel:
Yellow Zone
- Higher state, but still have SOME cognitive control
- Energy is up
- Emotions elevated
- May feel:
- Frustration/Stress
- Anxiety
- Excitement or Silly
- Wiggly or Agitated
Red Zone
- Very heightened state of alertness
- May be in Fight, Fright, Flight, or Freeze mode
- Intense, powerful emotions
- May feel:
- Elated/Ecstatic
- Enraged/Angry
- Terror/Panic
- Devasted
Red Zone is NOT the "Bad Zone"
Own Your Zone!
Lorem Ipsum
ZoR Tools Help Us...
- Regulate & meet our goals
- Do our jobs and tasks
- Support our sense of well-being
Behavior doesn't determine your Zone! Behavior is a by-product of how we manage our Zones
Framework & Curriculum
What it ISN'T
What it IS
A PROACTIVE, skills-based approachA cognitive pathway to follow for regulation Flexex and adapts for most learners and settings
A BEHAVIOR approachA discipline model or compliance driven A scripted curriculum only for younger learners
Set Up
Create Folders
Share
Information about The Zones* The Zones Glossary* Refrigerator Visual*
*Set up handouts available in English & Spanish*
Build an Interactive Visual
Introducing the Zones to Learners
Lessons 1-3
- Become familiar with The Zones
- Zones in others
- Increase emotions vocabulary
- Increase recognition of facial expressions
Using Children's Literature
Match character to corresponding Zone
Differentiation & Adaptation
Consider the following:
Age/Developmental Stage
Interest Areas
Cultural Relevance
Language
Accessibility
This program is extremely flexible!
Adaptation
Zones Visual for Older Students
Media to Teach Zones/Emotions
- Disney movies: Inside Out, Finding Nemo, Frozen
- Charlie Brown
- Sesame Street
- Daniel Tiger
- Winnie the Pooh
- Big Bang Theory
- Friends
Zones Check-In
- Small group/individual check-in with visual
- Popsicle stick with name dropped in colored container representing Zone
- Clothspin with name clipped to Zones poster
Individual and Cleanable Check-Ins
Regulation Stations
This is NOT just for our students!
info
Implementation
In a variety of settings
Closing
Some last tidbits of information
Padlet QR
Scan Me!
Contact Me!
jcarone@lindenwold.k12.nj.us856.784.4071 ex.3207
The ZONES of Regulation
Juliana Carone
Created on October 28, 2025
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Transcript
The ZONES of Regulation
Introduction to Regulation
NOt as simple as what we can see
What is Regulation?
The ability to adjust level of alertnessAND direct how emotions are revealed behaviorally in order to achieve goals, meet demands and support your well-being.
info
Co-Regulation
Regulation that occurs in the context of a Social Interaction, such as:
Why Teach Regulation?
- Self-regulation abilities have a stronger correlation with school readines than IQ or entry-level reading or math skills
(Blair 2002-2003, Normandeau & Guay 1998)Neurobiological in Nature
Development of Regulation
Initial Behavior Strategies
Process into Language Strategies
Final Level- Metacognitive Strategies
*Support/guidance (verbal techniques, sensitivity, expectations) from cargivers IS KEY in development of these strategies*
ACES: ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Increase in ACES correlates with increased risk of:
Depression
Mental Distress
VS
Disabiility
The Nature of Regulation
What's Under the Hood? Neurobiological components
What's the Terrain? External Factors Impacting Regulation
Lived Experience, Culture, Sociopolitical Factors, Access
Under the Hood Considerations
Sensory Processing & Modulation
Executive Functioning
Social Cognition
Emotional Regulation
Emotional Regulation
Executive Functions Connections with Regulation
Impulse Control
Working Memory
Self-Talk
Flexibility
Reflect on past experiences and code new information to help predict what you may experience
Consider multiple options, revise plans, adapt to change
Internal speech used to guide behavior
Thinking before acting
"Anyone can become angry, that is easy...but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way...this is not easy." -Aristotle
Reframe Our View of Behavior
Cultural Responsiveness
Remind Yourself
Be Mindful
Introduction to the Zones
A Simple way to think, talk (teach), and care for our feelings
What is the Zone of Regulation Framework?
A simple way to think about, talk (and teach) about, and care for our feelings.
Set the Tone!
First Step in UsingThe Zones of Regulation...
REFLECTION:What can you do to create a POSITIVE CLIMATE for all in your setting?
Goals of the Zones Curriculum
Teaches Learners
Ultimate Goal...
Independent Regulation & Well-Being
Blue Zone
Green Zone
Yellow Zone
Red Zone
Red Zone is NOT the "Bad Zone"
Own Your Zone!
Lorem Ipsum
ZoR Tools Help Us...
Behavior doesn't determine your Zone! Behavior is a by-product of how we manage our Zones
Framework & Curriculum
What it ISN'T
What it IS
A PROACTIVE, skills-based approachA cognitive pathway to follow for regulation Flexex and adapts for most learners and settings
A BEHAVIOR approachA discipline model or compliance driven A scripted curriculum only for younger learners
Set Up
Create Folders
Share
Information about The Zones* The Zones Glossary* Refrigerator Visual*
*Set up handouts available in English & Spanish*
Build an Interactive Visual
Introducing the Zones to Learners
Lessons 1-3
Using Children's Literature
Match character to corresponding Zone
Differentiation & Adaptation
Consider the following:
Age/Developmental Stage
Interest Areas
Cultural Relevance
Language
Accessibility
This program is extremely flexible!
Adaptation
Zones Visual for Older Students
Media to Teach Zones/Emotions
Zones Check-In
Individual and Cleanable Check-Ins
Regulation Stations
This is NOT just for our students!
info
Implementation
In a variety of settings
Closing
Some last tidbits of information
Padlet QR
Scan Me!
Contact Me!
jcarone@lindenwold.k12.nj.us856.784.4071 ex.3207