Social Emotional Learning and Wellbeing

Research clearly shows that children who can understand and cope with emotions do better in school, form stronger relationships, have fewer behavioural problems and generally lead happier, healthier and less stressful lives.

From kindergarten to grade 6, as part of our focus on respectful relationships and wellbeing, we are supporting students in their social and emotional development. We extend children’s abilities to recognise and manage their emotions and to recognise and respond appropriately to other people’s emotions. 

Throughout the school we use the Zones of Regulation, a social-emotional learning framework created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control. The Zones of Regulation uses four colours to help children self-identify how they’re feeling and categorize it based on colour. The Zones of Regulation also helps children better understand their emotions, sensory needs, and thinking patterns.

They learn different strategies to help them cope and manage their emotions based on which colour zone they’re in.

“Additionally, the Zones of Regulation helps kids recognize their own triggers, learn to read facial expressions, develop problem-solving skills, and become more attuned to how their actions affect other people” (Kuypers, L.M, 2011).

The Green Zone

The green zone is used to describe when you’re in a calm state of alertness. Being in the green zone means you are calm, focused, happy, or ready to learn. This is predominantly the state you want your child to be in.

It’s also the state most needed in the classroom in order to learn.

The Yellow Zone

The yellow zone describes when you have a heightened sense of alertness. This isn’t always a bad thing, and you still have some control of your actions when you’re in the yellow zone.

Being in the yellow means you may feel frustrated, anxious or nervous. But, it could also mean you’re feeling excited, silly, or hyper – which is okay in the right situations.

The Red Zone

The red zone describes an extremely heightened state of intense emotions. When a person reaches the red zone, they’re no longer able to control their emotions. This is the zone kids are in during meltdowns.

Being in the red zone means you’re feeling anger, rage, terror, or complete devastation and feel out of control.

The Blue Zone

The blue zone, on the other hand, is used when a person is feeling low states of alertness or arousal.

When you’re in the blue zone you may be feeling down – sad, sick, tired, or bored. You’re still in control, as you are in the yellow zone, but with low energy emotions.

One of the most important messages that parents can give their children is that their feelings are real and okay. Just as we encourage our children to talk about their feelings when they are feeling happy or excited, we must also encourage children to talk about their emotions when they are feeling anxious or angry. Talking about emotions will help children to understand them and by doing this you will be teaching your children the important skill of figuring out what’s going on and how to deal with difficult emotions.

Some thoughts from our children who have participated in Mrs Wyllie’s Zones Groups throughout 2020-21:

Billie: “use your tools so that you don’t get out of control. My pea in a pod is my favourite fidget toy. I use it in the Blue Zone.”

Lenny: “it helps people feel better if they are in the Red Zone. If you are in the Yellow Zone, you can talk to Mrs Wyllie. It would be harder to use your tools in the Red Zone. My favourite tool is shooting the basketball cause it makes me feel calm.”

Briah: “it is most important not to hurt people or property. It doesn’t matter which zone you are in - there are no bad zones.”

Ruby:  “It’s ok to be in every zone, just don’t hurt yourself, other people or property. Use your tools anytime you need so you come back to the green zone and don’t stay angry or frustrated.”

Lynn Wyllie-Watson