From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students, and Friends of Nativity School

We’re excited to share information about an important initiative underway at our school: the Zones of Regulation. This approach equips learners, teachers, therapists, and families with a shared language and practical strategies to navigate a wide range of feelings, fostering resilience and a positive school environment.
The Zones of Regulation is a framework that teaches children to recognise and manage their feelings. It categorises emotions and states into four coloured “zones”—each representing a different level of alertness and emotion:
• Blue Zone: Sad, tired, sick, or bored (low energy).
• Green Zone: Calm, happy, focused, or ready to learn (optimal state).
• Yellow Zone: Frustrated, worried, silly, or excited (heightened state, but still in control).
• Red Zone: Angry, scared, or out of control (strong emotions).

Understanding and managing emotions is a vital life skill. By teaching students how to identify which zone they are in, we help them to communicate their feelings, make better choices, and build resilience. These skills support learning, friendships, and wellbeing both at school and at home.

Our staff are integrating the Zones of Regulation into classroom routines, lessons, and wellbeing activities. Students learn strategies for returning to the Green Zone—such as deep breathing, taking a break, or talking with someone they trust. We encourage students to use this language to describe their feelings and ask for support when needed. You can also use the language of Zones of Regulation at home with your children to support their learning at school.

Ways that you can support your child with Zones of Regulation at Home:
• Model and identify your own feelings using Zones language in front of your child (e.g.: I’m frustrated. I think I am in the Yellow Zone.”)
• Observe your child’s behaviour and try to use strategies when they are showing signs of being in the yellow zone, to catch it before they move to the red zone.
• Practice calming strategies when your child is in the green zone. This may include doing some deep breathing/meditation/heavy work and sensory activities throughout their day.
• Talk about what tool you will use to be in the appropriate Zone (e.g.: “I need to take four deep breaths to help get me back to the Green Zone.”)
• At times, wonder which Zone your child is in. Or, discuss which Zone a character in a film / book might be in. (e.g.: “You look sleepy. Are you in the Blue Zone?”)
• Share how their behaviour is affecting your Zone. For example, if they are in the Green Zone, you could comment that their behaviour is also helping you feel happy/ go into the Green Zone.

If you would like further information or a Zones of Regulation Poster for your home, please email Cate or Lisa in the front office.
Thank you for working in partnership with us.

God Bless
Erika