Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it ~Charles Swindoll
As some of you know who check out my pages, or have read my website, I work with kids most days of the week. The greatest most inspiring kids I have ever met, that help me grow, humble me and ground my patience in ways I never understood before. Most of the children I work with are faced with challenges misunderstood of to most, from autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorder, mental illness', childhood trauma, behavioral and aggressive disorders amongst others. These children see, feel, play, communicate,move, create, and understand in different ways than what we describe as "typical" and due to our misunderstanding and lack of personal experience, these children are left behind or held behind instead of praised for their progress or given options/suggestions or techniques to live a quality life with which they are living.
As an OT, my educational background emphasized autism, sensory processing, and self regulation challenges and I have been introduced to a great curriculum that I would like to share with you, with teachers, with parents, and with other practitioners to help the children in your immediate environment. It is called "The Zones of Regulation", "is a curriculum comprised of lessons and activities designed by Leah Kuypers, M. A. Ed., OTR/L to help students gain skills in the area of self-regulation. The lessons and learning activities are designed to help the students recognize when they are in the different Zones (states of alertness/moods) as well as learn how to use strategies (including sensory supports, calming techniques, and thinking strategies) to regulate the Zone they are in."
We all work continuously on self regulation, i.e, how we react to situations, emotions and what tools we can use to foster healthier and more appropriate reactions and decisions. Some examples as an adult include yoga, meditation, exercise, journaling, walking in nature, taking a vacation, walking away, taking breaths, counting to ten etc. etc., and these are things that children, especially children facing other challenges, have a difficult time recognizing and utilizing. This curriculum helps you to reach these children with games, posters, lessons, and a plethora of personal tool boxes for kids to choose from and try and for parents to also try with their kids.
"The Zones curriculum provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of, and independent in, controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts."
So? You ask "What are the zones???" Good question, the descriptions that follow come straight from the book:
Pretty logical, self explanatory and it all makes sense..Some days we are in different zones, and in certain moments we can change from zone to zone, but it is important to recognize where we are at and how to change it based on the environment we are in. I use this with so many of my kiddos, feel free to ask me any questions about it. I have the book and use it daily at work.
For info on evidence visit here http://www.zonesofregulation.com/evidence.html
For official website check it out
http://www.zonesofregulation.com/
Thanks yall, enjoy this curriculum/book, it has made a difference not only in my life and career, but in the lives of the children that make my journey real and possible.
As some of you know who check out my pages, or have read my website, I work with kids most days of the week. The greatest most inspiring kids I have ever met, that help me grow, humble me and ground my patience in ways I never understood before. Most of the children I work with are faced with challenges misunderstood of to most, from autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorder, mental illness', childhood trauma, behavioral and aggressive disorders amongst others. These children see, feel, play, communicate,move, create, and understand in different ways than what we describe as "typical" and due to our misunderstanding and lack of personal experience, these children are left behind or held behind instead of praised for their progress or given options/suggestions or techniques to live a quality life with which they are living.
As an OT, my educational background emphasized autism, sensory processing, and self regulation challenges and I have been introduced to a great curriculum that I would like to share with you, with teachers, with parents, and with other practitioners to help the children in your immediate environment. It is called "The Zones of Regulation", "is a curriculum comprised of lessons and activities designed by Leah Kuypers, M. A. Ed., OTR/L to help students gain skills in the area of self-regulation. The lessons and learning activities are designed to help the students recognize when they are in the different Zones (states of alertness/moods) as well as learn how to use strategies (including sensory supports, calming techniques, and thinking strategies) to regulate the Zone they are in."
We all work continuously on self regulation, i.e, how we react to situations, emotions and what tools we can use to foster healthier and more appropriate reactions and decisions. Some examples as an adult include yoga, meditation, exercise, journaling, walking in nature, taking a vacation, walking away, taking breaths, counting to ten etc. etc., and these are things that children, especially children facing other challenges, have a difficult time recognizing and utilizing. This curriculum helps you to reach these children with games, posters, lessons, and a plethora of personal tool boxes for kids to choose from and try and for parents to also try with their kids.
"The Zones curriculum provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of, and independent in, controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts."
So? You ask "What are the zones???" Good question, the descriptions that follow come straight from the book:
- The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, explosive behavior, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone. A person is described as “out of control” if in the Red Zone.
- The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions; however, one has some control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.
- The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the Zone students predominately need to be in the classroom.
- The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness, such as when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
Pretty logical, self explanatory and it all makes sense..Some days we are in different zones, and in certain moments we can change from zone to zone, but it is important to recognize where we are at and how to change it based on the environment we are in. I use this with so many of my kiddos, feel free to ask me any questions about it. I have the book and use it daily at work.
For info on evidence visit here http://www.zonesofregulation.com/evidence.html
For official website check it out
http://www.zonesofregulation.com/
Thanks yall, enjoy this curriculum/book, it has made a difference not only in my life and career, but in the lives of the children that make my journey real and possible.