Last week classes revised the emotions that are common to the different Zones of Regulation. This summary may support conversations at home:

• When you are in the Blue Zone, your body is running slowly. You may feel hurt, sick, shy, sad or tired. 
• Like a green light, the Green Zone means you are ‘good to go’. If you are in the Green Zone, you may feel calm, happy, ready to learn or proud. 
• When you are in the Yellow Zone, it’s time to proceed with caution and slow down. If you are in the Yellow Zone you may feel silly, anxious/worried, upset, excited, scared, annoyed, jealous, uncomfortable, embarrassed, nervous or frustrated. 
• When you are in the Red Zone you may feel out of control and have trouble making good decisions. You need to stop and regulate. If you are in the Red Zone you may feel angry, terrified, out of control or elated.

Spend time discussing with your child what they remember of each zone and regularly check in with them as they are exhibiting different emotions at home. All feelings and emotions are valid and normal…it is how we react and what we do when we are in these zones that matters, and being able to recognise what zone we are in at any given time.

This week mainstream students are looking at ‘triggers’ that send them into the yellow or blue zone. Examples are are: 

• Change in plans that make us anxious (yellow)
• Before a sports game we may feel worried or excited (yellow)
• Smelling something disgusting that makes us feel nauseous (blue)
• Missing out on something can make us sad (blue)

Take time to discuss your children’s triggers and perhaps share some of your own. 

Early Stage 1 students are learning about expected behaviours and what our body is doing including our eyes, legs and hands. Students are also developing an understanding of how to recognise when others are following the expected behaviours. Support classes have been rehearsing expected behaviours when attending assemblies including entering and exiting in an orderly manner, sitting still and quiet when others are talking, and applauding award recipients.

Meghan Ryan
PBL Committee Member