Wellbeing News-Spotlight on our Social Emotional Learning Programs
Liz Harley
Wellbeing News-Spotlight on our Social Emotional Learning Programs
Liz Harley
At Carnegie Primary School, we implement evidence based wellbeing programs across the whole school. As our students start school, they are introduced to The Zones of Regulation, which is a comprehensive social-emotional learning program developed by an Occupational Therapist. It is designed to help children understand and manage their emotions and behaviours. The curriculum covers a wide range of social and emotional skills, beginning with basic emotional awareness and progressing toward more advanced concepts like self-regulation and handling social interactions.
Our Foundation to Year 2 staff follow this curriculum to ensure consistent use of the language, strategies, and supports that form the Zones of Regulation framework.
The program introduces four colour-coded zones that assist students in recognising their current emotional state and level of alertness, helping them to better understand and manage how they are feeling in the moment.
There are times where it is expected to be in each of the zones and times it would be unexpected.
As you walk around our school, you will see posters like these, hung in our learning spaces to support our students with strategies to move between ‘Zones’.
A core belief of the Zones of Regulation is that ‘all the Zones are okay’. People routinely experience several of the Zones across a day. We believe it’s critically important that we not convey the message that the Green Zone is the only acceptable Zone to be in. We acknowledge, accept, and support all emotions, and never make anyone feel like the Green Zone is the norm.
The skills taught in the Zones of Regulation curriculum include:
For more information about the Zones of Regulation by Leah M. Kuypers, please view the website.