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All students are learning the Zones of Regulation (or "The Zones" for short), which is a curriculum designed by Leah Kuypers, licensed occupational therapist, to help students gain skills in the area of self-regulation. Self-regulation can go by many names, such as self-control, self-management, and impulse control. It is defined as the best state of alertness of both the body and emotions for a specific situation. For example, when a student plays in the playground or in a competitive game, it is beneficial to have a higher state of alertness. However, that same state would not be appropriate in the library.
- Blue Zone: Low state of alertness when one's body and/or brain is moving slowly, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
- Green Zone: Regulated state of alertness that is ideal for learning. The feelings include happy, calm, and focused.
- Yellow Zone: Heightened state of alertness and starting to lose control of their emotions or body. The feelings can be frustrated or worried. The person may also feel silly, excited or annoyed.
- Red Zone: Extremely heightened state of alertness and the child has lost control of their body or emotions. The feelings include anger, being terrified, being mad and potentially being out of control when words aren't kind and bodies aren't safe.
It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the zones - the Red and Yellow Zones are not the "bad" zones. All of the zones are expected at one time or another throughout the day. Each classroom has a chart of The Zones, as well as a calm-down kit where students learn coping skills to help them get back to the "Green Zone."
