Zones of Regulation
Passfield Park School has adopted The Zones of Regulation as a school-wide Social and Emotional Learning initiative to support the Wellbeing Framework for Schools and the Australian Curriculum Personal and Social Capability Learning Continuum. As a school we recognise the importance of wellbeing and aim to create a culture that empowers our students to develop strong positive character traits and group dynamics.
What are the Zones of Regulation
The Zones use four colours to help students self-identify how they are functioning in the moment, given their emotions and state of alertness. There are times where it is expected to be in each of the zones and times it would be unexpected.
Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness (e.g. sad, tired, sick or bored) when our body and/or brain is moving slowly or sluggishly.
Green Zone is used to describe a regulated state of alertness (e.g. calm, happy, focused or content). Being in the Green Zone shows control and is generally the zone we need to be in for schoolwork and being social.
Yellow Zone is used to describe a heightened state of alertness (e.g. stressed, frustrated, anxious, excited, silly, nervous or confused). The Yellow Zone is starting to lose some control.
Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness or very intense feelings (e.g. anger, rage, panic, terror or elation). Being in the Red Zone can best be explained by not being in control of one’s body.
What do the Zones of Regulation look like at our school?
Each class undertake lessons as needed to meet individual students needs. Lessons are designed to help students understand their different internal emotions, sensory needs, and thinking patterns that result in each student shifting from one zone to another. Students explore a variety of tools they can use to regulate what zone they are in and are taught when, why and how to use their tools.
The Zones of Regulation help students learn more about perspective to better understand how being in the different zones impacts others’ thoughts and feelings around them.
The concepts of The Zones are embedded within daily interactions and routines as an ongoing support to help all our students better evaluate their current social and emotional zones and find success in school, home and their community.
