Maybe your child's school uses the Zones of Regulation®, or perhaps you've heard your child say they're "in the Red Zone."
But how can parents use this framework at home?
The most important idea is simple:
The goal isn't to stay in the Green Zone all day.
Different feelings and levels of alertness are part of everyday life.
Start By Talking About Emotions
Use everyday situations to talk about how emotions feel in the body.
Instead of only discussing zones when your child is upset, talk about feelings during calm moments too.
You can model this yourself:
"I'm feeling really tired right now."
"I'm getting frustrated. I'm going to take a minute."
Don't Make a Zone "Bad"
Avoid treating one zone as good and another as bad.
Instead, help your child recognize their current state and consider what they need for the situation they're in.
Build a Toolbox Together
Different strategies work for different children.
Your child's toolbox might include:
Movement
Deep breathing
Quiet time
Music
Drawing
Sensory tools
Talking with someone
Taking a break
Experiment together and notice what actually helps. To learn more about the Zones, check out their official webpage: www.zonesofregulation.com
How GET Can Help
At Global Education Therapy, our occupational therapists help families take self-regulation concepts and turn them into practical strategies for everyday life.
And if you're ready to start using these ideas at home, check out our GET video on implementing the Zones of Regulation at home.
🎥 Watch here NOW!
