SEND: What are Zones of Regulation

Identifying emotions with the Zone of Regulation

Zones of Regulation is a structured framework (often used in schools and with neurodivergent learners) that helps people identify and label their emotional state. This is an educational framework to create awareness of our emotions and build ways to manage them - self-regulate.

This was developed by Occupational Therapist Leah Kuypers and introduced in 2011. It can be used in schools and at home.

At its core, it breaks feelings into four colored zones so they’re easier to recognise and talk about:

🔵 Blue Zone: Low energy / down feelings

• Sad, tired, sick, bored

• Think: “I need rest or comfort”

🟢 Green Zone: Just right/calm and focused

• Happy, calm, ready to learn

• This is the ideal zone for most school or work situations

🟡 Yellow Zone: Elevated energy / starting to lose control

• Frustrated, anxious, excited, wiggly

• You’re still in control, but it’s getting harder

🔴 Red Zone: Very high energy / overwhelmed

• Angry, terrified, out of control

• This is when someone may yell, hit, or shut down

The goal isn’t to stay in the green zone all the time (that’s unrealistic). It’s about:

• Recognising which zone you’re in

• Understanding what your body and emotions are telling you

• Using strategies to move to a more regulated state

The Incredible 5-point Scale

This book helps children to identify the feelings inside them when they feel stressed. There are 5 stages with an emoji expressing a feeling,

5- Need help

4- Anxious,

3- Worried,

2- Uneasy,

1- being happy and calm.

There are 3 columns:

1. On the left-hand side are the emojis from 5 down to 1 that describe the feeling inside.

2. In the middle box, write in how each emotion feels within the body - 'head is going to explode'

3. On the right-hand side is a box where you write how you are going to manage these feelings, what you are going to do -' I need to remove myself'

In the book, there are sheets that can be adapted, along with different pictures and categories to suit the child's interests.

It’s widely used in schools, therapy, and with people who benefit from structured emotional learning, encouraging a child or adult to manage or self-regulate their energy levels, behaviour or moods.

Evidence and research

While the framework is widely implemented, independent reviews have found mixed empirical support. A 2024 systematic review noted that existing studies provide limited experimental evidence to classify the program as evidence-based under American Psychological Association standards, though practitioners report perceived gains in emotional literacy and regulation skills. The organisation behind Zones continues to partner with researchers to expand its evidence base.