Social Emotional Learning
February 12th, 2024
Introduction to Zones of Regulation
Why we are teaching this to our students:
• Vocabulary of emotional terms
• How to recognize their own emotions
• How to detect the emotions of others (read others’ facial expressions)
• What may trigger certain emotions
• How others may interpret their behavior
• Problem solving skills
We can’t change the way children feel BUT we can help them manage their feelings/states and behaviors. “It’s OK to be angry but it is not OK to hit…”
So what are the zones? There are 4 colored zones to categorize states of alertness and emotional states:
- The Blue Zone – used to describe low states of alertness, (such as feeling sad, tired, sick or bored. Body/brain is moving sluggishly).
- The Green Zone – used to describe a regulated state of alertness (such as feeling calm, happy, focused or content). This zone is generally needed for school work, being social and ready to learn. It shows control.
- The Yellow Zone – used to describe a heightened state of alertness, but with some control (such as when experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, nervousness, confusion - slightly elevated emotions (being fidgety, wiggly, squirmy or sensory seeking). The person is starting to lose control.
- The Red Zone – used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness or very intense feelings (such as feeling anger, rage, and explosive behavior, panic, terror or elation). Not being in control of one’s own body.
Important note - No zone is ‘bad’ or ‘good’ and we all experience them at one time or another. It is important to avoid reinforcing the idea that red = bad. Often we see with our children that they will indicate they’re in the green zone, even if they’re not. It is important to validate all emotions, and we should be helping our students to identify these emotions.
How to help your student regulate
• Know yourself and how you react in difficult situations before dealing with your child’s behaviors.
• Know your child’s sensory threshold. We all process sensory information differently and it impacts our reactivity to situations.
• Know your child’s triggers.
• Be consistent in managing your child’s behaviour and use the same language you use at home.
• Empathize with your child and validate what they are feeling.
• Have clear boundaries/routines and always follow through.
• Do not deal with an angry, upset child when you are not yet calm yourself.
• Discuss strategies for the next time when you are in a similar situation.
• Remember to ask your child how their choices made you feel (empathy).
• Praise your child for using strategies. Encourage your child to take a sensory break to help regulate their bodies.
• Create a ‘calm’ box or ‘sensory box’ full of things which help to keep your child calm and alert.
Random Acts of Kindness
Responsibility February 19th-March 18th
Courage March 18th-May 3rd
What is Kindness in the Classroom®?
Kindness in the Classroom® is a Tier 1 evidenced-based social emotional learning curriculum designed to helps schools create a culture of kindness.
Why is it important to teach social and emotional learning (SEL)?
There are so many reasons! Aside from increased academic performance, SEL programs like Kindness in the Classroom® improve attitudes and behaviors and reduce emotional distress. Research shows that students receiving the curriculum had greater empathy and sympathy for fellow students and teachers, were intrinsically motivated to be kinder and caring and showed decreased aggressive and antisocial behaviors. Interestingly, teachers reported they had significantly fewer conflicts with their students after teaching the curriculum and said they had more time for teaching... all resulting in students having more time for learning.
Mental Health Resources
https://caresolace.com/site/d11
719-572-6100
844-493-8255 (Mental health crisis line)
Diversus Health provides behavioral health care to our community. Our continuum of care includes mental health and substance abuse services as well as career and education enhancement programs for individuals and families.
The I Matter program can connect you with a therapist for up to 6 free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential.
Freedom Elementary Mental Health Team
Maggie Blankenship
School Counselor
Kathy Emeis
School Psychologist
Amy Guzman
School Psychologist Intern