Learning the Zones: A Social Story for Learning about Emotions + Self Regulation

When it comes to teaching feelings identification and regulation techniques, we found it hard to find a resource that was digestible for little ones while still being a thorough explanation of the Zones approach.

That's how this resource came about! This social story provides approachable language + hand-drawn illustrations to help teach about emotions and self regulation using zones inspired content.

Story telling has been used an effective way to teach for centuries (Green, 2004). Stories peak interest, aid in remembering, are familiar and relatable. We've found this download to be a useful tool with our little ones, and hope that you find it to be the same!

Included in this resource, you'll find:

• 16 page social story
• Original writing that is inspired by use of the Zones
• Original hand-drawn illustrations
• Descriptions of all (4) zones and corresponding emotions + illustrations.
• Instructions for assembling

Please note, this product is independently created and not in any way affiliated with, sponsored by or created in collaboration with Think Social Publishing, Inc. or by Leah Kuypers, author of The Zones of Regulation.

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Your download and use of this product implies understanding of the Terms of Use, which can be found within this document.

Want to see more? Check out some of our other resource packets on the topics below!

Visuals + Schedules:

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• Transitions + Schedules: First/Then Visual Boards
• Interactive First/Then Visual Schedule Board
• Going to the Dentist: An Interactive Social Story
• Going to the Doctor: An Interactive Social Story to Decrease Anxiety

Sensory Processing:

• "I Can't Get My Child to Pay Attention To Me!" 6 Strategies for Joint Attention
• *FREE* Tips for Encouraging Independence: Parent Handout
• Brain Breaks: 36 Activities for Refocus at School, Home + More
• Oral Motor + Oral Sensory Packet: Activities, Tools + Considerations
• Sensory Simplified Part 1: All 8 Systems (+BONUS: Oral Sensory Processing)
• Sensory Simplified: 2-Sided Sensory Systems + Activities Handout
• *FREE* Sensory Simplified: "The Great 8" Educational Handout
• Sensory Diet Resource Packet
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Emotional Regulation + Classroom Management:

• Regulation Toolbox: Interactive Emotional Regulation Activity (“Zones” inspired)
• Zones Posters, Zones of Self Regulation for Calm Down Corner, Classroom + More
• No-Prep Zones Sorting Activity Inspired by Zones of Self Regulation
• Deep Breaths Interactive Visual Board for Calm Down Corner, Behavior + Anxiety
• All About Me: Child-Specific Worksheet for Teachers, Subs, Therapists + More
• Calming Cards Coping Skills Packet
• Interactive Coping Skills Wheel
• Interactive Visual Feelings Chart - Low/No Prep or Customize!
• *FREE* Feelings Wheel
• Feelings and Emotions Activity Packet
• Mindfulness + Regulation Exercise Packet
• Growth Mindset Coloring Pages
• *$1* Growth Mindset Affirmation Cards

Life Skills + Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

• 7 Tips for Feeding + Eating: Support + Approaches for Picky + Problem Eating!
• Life Skills Printable Shoe Tying Practice Template
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Participation: Grooming/Hygiene Edition
• Hand-washing ADL Visual Schedule (4 Versions!)
• Encouraging Utensil Use: A Pediatric OT's Cheat Sheet for Little Learners

Motor Planning + Gross Motor:

• Printable Sensory Paths: for Gross Motor, Emotional Regulation, Sensory + More!
• *FREE* Animal Walks Dice
• Printable Gross Motor 2-Sided Card Deck
• Printable Yoga Pose 2-Sided Card Deck (with Positional Guide!)
• Bilateral Integration
• Core Engagement
• Midline Crossing
• Brain Breaks Bundle

Handwriting and Fine Motor:

• Funny Fingers Fine Motor Activity Packet
• Letter Reversals
• Handwriting Practice
• Fine Motor Obstacle Courses
• Fine Motor Fun Activity Bundle
• Fine Motor Roll A Dice Warmup Exercises

Visual Motor/Visual Perceptual:

• Shape Recognition: Matching Activity Packet (with 2 Levels of Difficulty!)
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• 5 No-Prep Printable Scavenger Hunts
• Lacing Cards for Visual Motor + Fine Motor Skill Development, Low-Prep

Therapist Organization + Management:

• Ultimate Occupational Therapist Organizational Bundle
• Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Evaluation Template for Clinic + School
• Letters of Medical Necessity: 3 Editable Templates + Tips for Approval!
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• *FREE* Occupational Therapist Blank Calendar

For Creators + TPT Sellers (Commercial Use):

• Commercial Use Clip Art Starter Pack: Borders, Backgrounds + Doodles!
• Commercial Use Clip Art: School Supplies (Transparent + Color Versions!)
• Commercial Use Clip Art: Tracing In the Lines Handwriting + Fine Motor Practice
• Commercial Use ClipArt Doodle Pack: 45+ Speech and Thought Bubbles

Seasonal + Holiday Packets:

• Valentine's Activity Packet: 15 Pages of OT Skills, Speech Concepts + More!
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• Halloween Coloring Book
• Fall Farmhouse Frenzy
• Autumn Activity Packet
• *FREE* Winter-Themed Holiday Crafts Activity Packet

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