By AMY RICKER
Great Bend Post
2020 was a challenging year for students filled with uncertainty, unknowns and a lack of structure. While parents typically know how to talk with their children, teachers don't always have the same insight.
At Eisenhower Elementary School in Great Bend, teachers use a strategy that helps students express and regulate their emotions. The program is called "The Zones of Regulation" and is based on occupational therapist Leah Kuypers' research.
There are four zones that children can identify by the color name to express how they are feeling. If the child is in the "Blue Zone," they are sad, tired or distracted. The "Green Zone" means they are happy, calm and ready to learn. If the child reports being in the "Yellow Zone," they are worried or scared. If they are unhappy, angry or frustrated, they are in the "Red Zone."
Eisenhower Family Support Worker Kelly McClure says they put the program in place to have a common language between students and teachers at the childrens' level.
"If a child comes to school that didn't sleep well the night before and says they are in the blue zone, then the teacher can ask what they need. Why are they tired? Do they need a nap," explains McClure. "Or, if the child is in the red zone because they got into a fight with their mom, the teacher can check-in to see if they are still angry and need to talk to a counselor. It's an emotional check for each kid."
McClure says that while they adopted the program in the 2019-2020 school year, they began consistently using it this year.
"All the teachers have the books, and there are different activities and lessons that go with each color. There are breathing strategies, ways to calm down, and how to regulate emotions to get into the green zone where we want to be," says McClure.
McClure explains that they were introduced to "The Zones of Regulation" because the teachers and staff wanted to implement a social and emotional check-in for the students.
McClure says the feedback from students and teachers has been positive. It has helped students who wouldn't otherwise communicate their feelings to reach out to school staff to help them navigate their emotions and return to the green zone. Likewise, it has opened doors for teachers to better understand their students' feelings and emotional needs.