The Yellow Zone Explained for Kids | Zones of Regulation Strategies for Energy & Focus | Episode 3

Helping Students (and Teachers!) Understand the Yellow Zone and How to Stay in Control

Hey friend!

Have you ever felt all wiggly inside? Like you’ve got a lot of energy bouncing around, or maybe a little worried or frustrated — but not quite mad?

That feeling is what we call the Yellow Zone.

Welcome to learning about the ZONES of REGULATION - in this video, we are going to DEEP DIVE Into the yellow  ZONE!

💬 What Is the Yellow Zone?

The Yellow Zone means your body is getting bubbly and buzzy — like a soda fizzing up and ready to pop!

You might feel:

• Silly

• Excited

• Nervous

• Frustrated

• Worried

• Squirmy or restless

Your thoughts and feelings are bubbling fast, but you’re still mostly in control.

🧠 Why Does the Yellow Zone Happen?

Sometimes Yellow Zone feelings happen when things are fun — like:

• Playing outside

• Birthday parties

• Gym class

• Loud music or games

That’s Yellow Zone in a good place — it’s expected, it’s normal, and it’s okay to feel that way then.

⚠️ But Sometimes Yellow is Unexpected

Like when it’s time to:

• Listen to a lesson

• Do quiet reading

• Wait your turn

• Sit still at the table

And suddenly you feel like jumping, talking too loud, or blurting out.

That’s Yellow Zone acting out — and it can get in the way of learning and playing nicely with friends.

🎯 What Do You Do When You Feel Yellow?

Here’s the secret: The Yellow Zone is your body’s way of saying:

“Hey — I’m bubbling up! Let’s pause before I pop!”

That’s your trigger to stop what you’re doing and think:

• What do I need right now?

• Do I need to move? Stretch?

• Should I squeeze a ball or take deep breaths?

• Would a break outside help me calm down?

Use a strategy — don’t act out!

🛠️ Tools to Help You Stay in Control

Some kids like to:

• Take a walk or run outside

• Do jumping jacks or stretches

• Use a fidget toy or stress ball

• Take deep “smell the flowers, blow out candles” breaths

• Count slowly to ten

• Find a quiet spot for a minute

🌿 Different Ways to Re-Regulate

Now, here’s something important:

Some kids need to leave their environment to calm down —A change of scenery helps them feel safe and reset.Maybe a quiet hallway, outside in the fresh air,Or a calm corner in the classroom where they can take care.

But others might find that leaving doesn’t help at all.If their brain feels chaotic inside — even a quiet spot won’t fix it.They need tools to center themselves no matter where they are,Like meditation, mindfulness, or focusing on their breath — these can be a star!

🏫 Why a Calm Space Matters in Every Classroom

This is why having a real, welcoming, calm space in your classroom is so important —A place with tools and strategies all kids can learn and use.Because meditation and breathing help some kids a lot,But for others, it’s just a band-aid — they need more support on the spot.

🤔 Which One Sounds Like You?

• Do you feel better after a break away from noise and chaos?

• Or do you find you need to practice centering yourself where you are?

Both are okay! The important thing is to notice what works for YOU and use it.

💡 Teachers: Supporting All Kinds of Regulation

Make sure your classroom has:

• A cozy quiet corner or calm-down space kids can go to

• Movement breaks and permission to get up and stretch

• Meditation and mindfulness activities for kids who need internal tools

• Open conversations about how different kids handle the Yellow Zone differently

💛 Final Thought

The Yellow Zone is like a bubble — it grows and grows. But you get to decide when to pop it — by pausing, choosing a tool, and calming your body.

And when you do that? You stay in control, keep learning, and keep friends close.

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