All the Zones are Okay
In Concept 3 (C3), we build upon the understanding of the four Zones of Regulation to learn that all the Zones – and all our feelings – are okay. The instructional activities are designed to build an acceptance of our wide range of feelings and Zones, and an awareness of how these will change as we experience different situations. We build the foundation for social awareness and perspective-taking by exploring how people experience a variety of feelings and views within a situation. As a Zones leader, your role is to acknowledge, accept, and support learners’ feelings in all Zones without valuing one Zone over another. This is essential to building the Zones Climate. For example, do not make anyone feel as if the Green Zone is the expectation or superior, or that the Red Zone is bad or wrong. To support learners, make sure to model and share appropriate situations when you are in the Blue, Yellow, and Red Zones. This will help to normalize that ALL THE ZONES ARE OKAY.
We also learn that while all the Zones are okay, not all behaviors are okay. We emphasize the distinction between our feelings and our behaviors, stressing the importance of safe behaviors for ourselves and others. The Zones of Regulation is NOT a behavior management program. As learners are exploring The Zones of Regulation, expect that challenging behaviors will occur. Adults should continue to use de-escalation/crisis training and follow positive behavior support plans. As learners grow in noticing and regulating their feelings, they will also grow in their ability to regulate their behavior.
For more information on The Zones of Regulation’s Key Principles and Zones Climate, see Module C: What is The Zones of Regulation? and Module D: The Zones Climate or Chapter 2 and 3 of Getting Into the Zones of Regulation.
Learning Targets
- I can connect my feelings and Zones with real-life situations.
- I can give an example of how people have different feelings and perspectives in a situation.
Vocabulary
Perspective: A person’s unique way of feeling, viewing, or thinking about something.
Situation: What is happening at a certain time and place.
Key Climate Practice
Normalize that ALL THE ZONES ARE OKAY.
- Hands On: Incorporate stuffed animals, dolls, and/or action figures into the Four Corners activities to build perspective-taking and scaffold self-awareness skills.
- Vocabulary: Pair new terms with alternate synonyms/expressions to develop familiarity. Perspective: Your view or how you think or feel about something. Situation: what’s happening, what’s going on.
- Pare it Down: Skip the Pair & Share slide before the All The Zones Are Okay, but not All Behaviors Are video, if needed.
- Activity Exchange: Use the Alternative Activity Zones Charades in place of Zones Review: Guess the Feeling, (see Concept Guide).
Books to Support Early Learning
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
by Shelly Becker, Illustrated by Eda Kaban
- What Zones did you see the superheroes in?
- Are all the superhero’s feelings okay? Are all their behaviors okay?
Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too)
by Keith Negley
- What are some situations the tough guys had?
- How did the situation make them feel?
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood
by Tamaka Fryer Brown, Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
- Are all the moods shown in the book okay?
- How would you describe or show the mood (or Zone) you are in now?
It can take time for some learners to develop the understanding that all their feelings are okay. They may misperceive and fixate on the Green Zone as “being good,” or the Red Zone as being the “bad Zone.” It is helpful to show video clips, read books, and share lots of examples of others having varied emotions in all four Zones, repeating phrases such as: Is it okay that they’re feeling _________? Yes, all the Zones are okay!
Learners with a history of trauma may not feel comfortable discussing or expressing their feelings. As you are working through various situations, understand that some situations may be triggering for learners in ways you don’t expect. For example, memories from a traumatic weather event may come to the surface when discussing a storm or a flood. Do not force participation from learners.
Culture plays a role in our openness to labeling and talking about feelings. Invite learners to share their experiences discussing emotions or using feeling words with their family. During the Core Lesson, brainstorm a variety of situations that are relevant to your learners’ lives, emphasizing the importance of multiple perspectives and experiences.
- C3 Hook and Group Activity
- Green, red, yellow, and blue construction paper (one set per whole group)
- Post each piece of paper in a different corner of the room
- Optional: 4 Zones Full Page visuals (one set per whole group)
- C3 Check for Learning (1 per learner)
- C3 Bridge (1 per learner) Spanish Version
- Geared Activity of choice (quantity will vary)
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Responsible Decision Making
Relationship Skills
Pacing Suggestions
For 20-30 Minute Sessions
DAY 1
C3 Introduction
- Learning Targets & Key Vocabulary
- Hook: 4 Corners
C3 Core Lesson
- Your Perspective
- Digital Game: Zones Review
- Situations and Zones
- Group Activity: 4 Corners, Again!
- Video: All the Zones are Okay, But Not All Behaviors Are
- Activity: Feelings and Behaviors
DAY 2
C3 Geared Activities
C3 Wrap Up
- Review & Check for Learning
- Keep it Real!
Presentation Guide
Interactive Presentation
Geared Activities
Gear 1
Gear 2
Gear 3
Situation Comic
Moment Memoir
Zones Visuals
Extend Learning
Additional Zones Climate Practices
Own your Zone: Model your own feelings and Zones to build a climate of emotional safety and normalize a wide range of emotions. Use statements and questions such as, I’m feeling kind of stressed; I’m in the Yellow Zone; or I’m feeling relaxed and focused. Can anyone guess my Zone?
Provide assurance: As learners experience different feelings and Zones throughout the day, assure them that all their feelings and Zones are okay. Relate to your learners’ feelings by sharing a time you felt that way, or you experienced a similar situation.
- It’s okay to be angry in the Red Zone when someone bumps into you, or you drop something. We all get angry sometimes.
- It’s okay to be disappointed in the Blue Zone if you didn’t do as well on an assignment as you liked. I remember feeling disappointed when I was in school too.
Literature link: Pause while reading a book or text passage that describes a character experiencing a feeling. After identifying the character’s emotion and Zone, ask learners what their own perspective and Zone might be in that situation.
Make it visual: Create an “All Our Zones Are Okay” display or bulletin board with a variety of emotions using photos, characters, or icons (emojis) to reinforce this concept.
Bridging The Zones
Share the C3 Bridge with families, caregivers, and other team members.
More Zones Resources
The Zones of Regulation Storybook Set provides engaging social scenarios and strategies to help learners explore regulation using The Zones. Learners will follow relatable characters through everyday situations as they learn about their emotions and Zones, as well as how their bodies help them sense what they are feeling. The story models and normalizes how we move through different Zones throughout the day, both at school and home, and enriches the conversation on feelings versus behavior. (Ages 4-11.)
For more information: socialthinking.com/Products/zones-of-regulation-storybook-set