Socioemotional disorders such as ADHD, autism, and anxiety have become increasingly common in children. It’s critical to provide children with effective treatment. One approach that has been found effective in helping children regulate their emotions and behavior is the Zones of Regulation.

The Zones of Regulation is a framework that was developed by occupational therapist Leah Kuypers. It’s designed to help children learn how to identify and manage their emotions, develop self-regulation skills, and improve their social interactions. The framework uses a color-coded system to help children identify and express their emotions, as well as strategies to help them manage their emotions and behavior.

The Zones of Regulation framework can be applied to the treatment of socioemotional disorders in several ways:

Identifying and Understanding Triggers

The first step in helping children is to identify their triggers. The Zones of Regulation framework can help children identify the situations, people, or events that trigger their reactions. By understanding their triggers, children can begin to develop strategies to manage their emotions and behavior more effectively when they encounter these triggers. Below is a Zones of Regulation handout called, “Triggers Worksheet.”

Recognizing and Expressing Emotions

Children with socioemotional disorders often struggle with recognizing and expressing their emotions. The Zones of Regulation framework can help children identify the physical sensations and emotions associated with their emotions, and develop the language to express those emotions. This can help children communicate their needs and feelings more effectively, which can encourage self-regulation. The Zones framework uses a color-coded system.

Developing Coping Strategies

The Zones of Regulation framework provides children with a range of coping strategies to help them manage their emotions. These strategies include deep breathing exercises such as 6-sided breathing, physical activities, sensory activities, and more. Below is an example of the Zones Tools Menu. Younger children can cut out tools and paste them into their toolbox while older children can write out their tools. By practicing these strategies, children learn to regulate their emotions and behavior more effectively.

Building Social Skills

Children with socioemotional disorders often struggle with social interactions, which can lead to further self-regulation challenges. The Zones of Regulation framework includes strategies to help children build social skills, such as perspective-taking, social problem-solving, and communication skills. Below is an example of a social skill-building exercise called Zones Bingo. In this activity, children work to correctly identify the emotional reactions of others. By developing these skills, children can improve their social interactions.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

The Zones of Regulation framework emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children. This includes providing children with opportunities to practice their self-regulation skills, giving them positive feedback for their efforts, and providing them with a safe and supportive space to express their emotions. A safe and supportive environment can help children feel more confident and less anxious. For example, children receive tool awards for their efforts.

Final Thoughts

The Zones of Regulation framework can be a useful tool in the treatment of socioemotional disorders in children. By providing children with the tools and strategies they need to manage their emotions and behavior, we can help them develop the skills they need to self-regulate and thrive in their daily lives.

About the Author

Dr. Christine E. Dickson holds a Dual PhD in Clinical and Industrial-Organizational Psychology and has over 25 years of experience. She is passionate about dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and searched for a toolkit similar to DBT for children. The Zones of Regulation framework is similar to DBT and Christine enjoys teaching it to children and parents. To make an appointment for Zones of Regulation coaching, please visit Christine’s website.