What is the resource?
The Zones of Regulation is a structured, cognitive behavioural framework developed by occupational therapist Leah Kuypers in 2011. It was designed to help individuals develop self-regulation skills — the ability to manage their emotions, sensory needs, and impulse control in order to meet the demands of everyday life. The framework uses a simple colour-coded system to help people identify and communicate how they are feeling, and to develop strategies for managing those feelings appropriately. The system is divided into four colour-coded zones. The Blue Zone represents low states of alertness, such as feeling sad, tired, bored, or moving slowly. The Green Zone is considered the optimal state for learning and socialising — this is where a person feels calm, happy, focused, and ready to engage. The Yellow Zone reflects a heightened state of alertness, where someone may feel anxious, frustrated, excited, or silly, but still has some control. The Red Zone represents the most heightened state, where a person may feel angry, terrified, or completely overwhelmed, and has lost control of their actions and responses. A key strength of the framework is that it normalises all emotional states — no zone is labelled "bad." Instead, the focus is on helping individuals recognise which zone they are in, understand what triggered that state, and develop a personalised toolkit of strategies to regulate themselves and return to the Green Zone when needed. These strategies might include breathing exercises, movement breaks, sensory tools, or talking to a trusted adult. The programme is typically taught through structured lessons and visual supports, making abstract emotional concepts concrete and accessible.
Who is it for?
This resource is particularly beneficial for children and young people with autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing difficulties, or social-emotional learning needs. It is also well suited to mainstream classroom settings, supporting any learner who finds it difficult to identify, express, or manage their emotions effectively.
How it should be used
The accompanying template should be used alongside direct teaching of the Zones framework. Adults can support pupils in identifying which zone they are currently in and help them select appropriate regulation strategies. It works best when embedded into daily routines, displayed visually in the classroom, and revisited consistently so that self-regulation becomes a natural, practised skill.
