Zones of Regulation Curriculum
There are four zones of regulation: blue, green, yellow and red. These zones are part of one of the Social Thinking Curriculums. Each zone stands for feelings/emotions that a person may have. These color zones are geared towards making students aware of what they are feeling and then connecting strategies to each zone so that a child can go back to feeling a positive feeling. Teachers may identify a zone for a child in a moment that a child is not capable of doing so or a child may tell the teacher what zone they feel like they are in. I personally find that this tool is a great tool to start with and can be used as a tool throughout all of the other social thinking curriculums. The curriculum is only 18 lessons long and teaches children to regulate their actions through becoming aware of what triggers them to feel the emotions they are feeling. This will later lead to increased control and problem solving abilities.
"Socialthinking - Home." Socialthinking - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Aug. 2015.
How I have used this in my classroom:
In the social thinking lunch group I have and in my special education classroom in general, I have Kindergarteners through third graders and I use this chart. At separate times I have taught the students about what each zone means and what emotions belong under each zone. In the morning when I first see my students I ask them what zone they are coming to school in. I also ask them at the end of the day what zone they are leaving in. Through times that students are having a difficult time, I guide them to use this chart to tell me what zone they are in. If they are unable to identify what zone they are in, I will identify for them what I notice and use descriptive language as to how I know what zone they are in. If they are in a zone that will not allow them to learn and be in a social environment, we discuss ways to get them in a zone that will allow them to be a participant in their learning. Some strategies that my students have used is taking a rest in our bean bag area, taking deep breathes, using a "mind jar", play with a ball, doing yoga, having a dance party, going for a walk, looking at the fish tank or getting a drink of water.
In the social thinking lunch group I have and in my special education classroom in general, I have Kindergarteners through third graders and I use this chart. At separate times I have taught the students about what each zone means and what emotions belong under each zone. In the morning when I first see my students I ask them what zone they are coming to school in. I also ask them at the end of the day what zone they are leaving in. Through times that students are having a difficult time, I guide them to use this chart to tell me what zone they are in. If they are unable to identify what zone they are in, I will identify for them what I notice and use descriptive language as to how I know what zone they are in. If they are in a zone that will not allow them to learn and be in a social environment, we discuss ways to get them in a zone that will allow them to be a participant in their learning. Some strategies that my students have used is taking a rest in our bean bag area, taking deep breathes, using a "mind jar", play with a ball, doing yoga, having a dance party, going for a walk, looking at the fish tank or getting a drink of water.