Sutton
The zones of regulations were used extensively in the classroom as either characters or photos of real faces. These were especially focused on during the first week of term. Children recognise the emotions, understand them and the strategies to self-regulate.
By having them on display children can see how emotions can change across the day. Teachers modelling how to regulate emotions really helped.
Powerful books in containing children’s emotions and exploring them were ‘Owl Babies’, ‘The Most Magnificent Thing’ and Tom Percival’s books: ‘Ruby’s Worry’ etc. Children felt understood and acknowledged and were able to link to their own experiences.
A ‘calm corner’ was established in several classrooms, which helped calm troubled children.
Social stories (‘Taking everyday situations and helping children to understand what to expect and how to respond in certain scenarios: e.g. ‘I will get to meet my new teacher’) had helped children to understand desired behaviour. Transitioning booklets (to new class or new school) helped children know what was coming.