Zones of Regulation for Trainers and Teachers

Self-regulation refers to our ability to control our own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in relation to our environment. Examples of self-regulation are resisting emotional outbursts when something upsets us, controlling impulses, calming down when someone feels worried or anxious, and transitioning from one task to another. Teachers and trainers can help children with special needs or emotional challenges. They can use the method of the zones of regulation to recognize and help their clients navigate their emotions in the gym classroom.

The Zones of Regulation help others learn how to regulate their emotions independently by teaching them how to identify their feelings and how their behavior impacts those around them. Developed by Leah M. Kuypers, the program teaches children how to recognize when they are in different emotional states called “zones,” which are represented by different colors. Visual schedules are great for children who thrive on routine and predictability, as it helps set expectations at the beginning of the day.  And for children who get “stuck” with schedule changes, it can help prepare them ahead of time. By giving children a visual representation of what their day will look like, you are empowering them by allowing them to look at the visual schedule and move from one activity to the next without prompting.

The Zones are divided up into colors:

Blue zone – tired, sleepy, bored, sad

Green zone – calm, ready, happy, focused, content

Yellow zone – excited, anxious, nervous, surprised, worried, silly

Optional Orange Zone – More intense anxiety, getting almost out of control, and more nervous

Red zone – furious, angry, rage, out of control

There are many ways for trainers and instructors to teach the zones, other than just talking about them. They can have relays with colored dots, hula hoops, or feet to demonstrate blue, green, yellow, orange, and red feelings. They may also have charts to help children identify feelings and decide what tools help them feel calm and relaxed such as bubbles, squeeze toys or bouncing balls.  Sometimes, even packing dots that are popped are calming to both children and adults.  As for trainers with children and adults who suffer from self-regulation, it is helpful if schedules are consistent and changes are kept in the session to a minimum.  Schedules, preparation ahead of time, and no downtime are essential for these athletes.

Equipping children and adults with appropriate calming strategies can make all the difference when it comes to teaching self-regulation. Methods of deep breathing include using bubbles, fidgets, or calming areas. This will give them an effective coping strategy they can use when big emotions threaten to take over during gym activities and just everyday life.

References:

Inspired Treehouse

https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/self-regulation/

Pinterest 17 Zones of Regulation

https://www.pinterest.com/cchapan/17-zones-of-regulation-activities/?eq=zones&etslf=7706

YouTube Zones of Regulation

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj7hHRMQNZ0yK8OXHyszvdbs_hgfd3Mf7

Zones of Regulation

https://www.zonesofregulation.com/teaching-tools.html

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Christina Chapan

Christina Lee Steele Chapan is a certified personal trainer with four certifications from ISSA ACE, AFAA and SCW. She specializes with fitness for children and those adults and children with special needs. In addition to attaining her certifications, she is also a certified elementary and special education school teacher with a B.S. in Elementary Education, a minor in Biblical Studies from North Central University, an endorsement in Special Education, and an M.A. in Curriculum and Development from Governors State University. Her passion is for training the future of tomorrow. She is available for training, speaking and writing.

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