And it was all yellow

The Yellow Zone, within the Zones of Regulation framework, represents a state of heightened emotions and arousal. Children, and adults, in this zone experience mild to moderate levels of stress, frustration, anxiety, or excitement. While they aren’t in the Red Zone, and completely out of control, they may struggle to regulate their reactions and may not be in full control of their emotions.

Children in the Yellow Zone may display various signs indicating heightened emotions and mild to moderate levels of stress, frustration, anxiety, or excitement. Some common signs include:

• Increased Heart Rate and Breathing
• Restlessness
• Elevated Energy
• Anxious Body Language
• Flushed Skin or Sweating
• Tense Facial Expressions
• Irritability
• Decreased Concentration
• Heightened Sensitivity
• Expressing worry, confusion or excitement

Recognizing these signs can help you support your children in managing their emotions and transitioning back to the Green Zone, where they are calm and able to make better choices. Here are some practical ways to support this transition:

Deep Breathing: Teach deep breathing exercises to help calm their physiological responses and reduce stress. Encourage them to take slow, deep breaths in and out.

Physical Movement: Engage in physical activities like stretching or a short walk to release pent-up energy and promote relaxation.

Sensory Tools: Provide sensory tools like stress balls, fidget toys, or textured objects that children can manipulate to help regulate their emotions.

Counting or Time-Outs: Teach them to count to ten or take a brief time-out when they feel overwhelmed, giving them a chance to reset.

Emotion Identification: Help them identify and label their emotions. Discuss what triggered their feelings and explore healthy ways to respond.

Positive Self-Talk: Encourage them to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations or self-assuring statements.

Coping Strategies: Create a list of coping strategies together, such as drawing, journaling, listening to music, or engaging in a favorite hobby.

Visual Aids: Use visual aids like emotion charts or calming cue cards to remind them of strategies when they're in the Yellow Zone.

Create a Calm Space: Designate a quiet, comfortable space where they can go to relax and use their chosen calming techniques.

Guided Activities: Lead them through calming activities like reading a book, doing a puzzle, or colouring to shift their focus and emotions.

Model Emotional Regulation: Demonstrate your own emotional regulation techniques and share stories about how you manage your feelings.

Practice Problem-Solving: Guide them through identifying solutions to their challenges, promoting a sense of control and reducing stress.

Praise Efforts: Acknowledge their attempts to regulate their emotions, even if the transition isn't perfect. Positive reinforcement encourages continued growth.

Consistency and Patience: Help them understand that learning to regulate emotions takes time and practice. Be patient and consistent in your support.

Remember that each child is unique, so it's important to explore different strategies and tailor them to their preferences and needs. Consistently practicing these techniques will empower children to better manage their emotions and transition from the Yellow Zone to the Green Zone more effectively over time.