Benjamin Franklin Day Elementary

B.F. Day
Elementary
School Counselor

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social Emotional Learning at B.F. Day Elementary

Zones of Regulation

4 circles red, yellow, blue, green The Zones of Regulation Logo

Zones of Regulation is a framework designed to help students build metacognitive skills including emotional awareness, recognition of body signals, and identifying and utilizing tools for regulation.

Students learn how to identify their emotions and create ‘toolboxes’ for each zone that they can access in class and at home.


How Can I Support The Zones of Regulation?

Blue Zone (Rest Area), Green Zone (Go), Yellow Zone (Slow), Red Zone (Stop)
  • Identify your own feelings using Zones language in front of your child (e.g. “I’m frustrated, I am in the yellow zone”)
  • Provide positive reinforcement when your child is in the Green Zone and if they make efforts to stay in the Green Zone. (e.g. “I can see you are working really hard to stay in the Green Zone by…” )
  • Talk about what tool you will use to be in the appropriate Zone (e.g. “I’m going to go for a walk, I need to get to the green zone”)
  • Label what zones your child is in throughout the day (e.g. “You look sleepy, are you in the blue zone?”)
  • Teach your child which Zones tools they can use (e.g. “It’s time for bed, let’s read a book together in the rocking chair to get to the blue zone.”)
  • Post and reference the Zones visuals and tools in your home (Zone check in stations and toolboxes for the family!)

How’s My Engine Running?

Traffic Signs: Rest Area, GO, Slow, STOP
Faces: Labeled/Text: Sick, Tired, Sad. Calm Relaxed Happy, Nervous, Silly, Excited. Angry, Mad, Out of Control