Today Emily Kircher-Morris welcomes Leah Kuypers, developer of the Zones of Regulation framework, to discuss self-regulation skills. They talk about the importance of emotional awareness, the practical applications of the framework in educational settings, and how it provides a common language for expressing feelings. Leah shares insights from her experience as an occupational therapist and educator, including the impact of the framework on students' ability to communicate their emotions and navigate their environments effectively. They discuss the need to move away from labeling emotions as good or bad, and explore practical strategies for implementing self-regulation tools in educational settings.

TAKEAWAYS

Self-regulation challenges significantly impact students' well-being and success.
The Zones of Regulation framework provides a common language for expressing feelings.
All zones are valid; there are no good or bad zones.
Visual supports can help neurodivergent students communicate their feelings.
The framework is designed to foster emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Teaching self-regulation skills can reduce reliance on punitive measures.
The framework can be adapted for various age groups and needs.
Emotional intelligence can be difficult to articulate, even for older students.
Co-regulation with adults can help children identify and manage their emotions.
Understanding the neurobiological aspects of regulation can inform better support strategies.

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Leah Kuypers, MA Ed., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, autism resource specialist, and educator, dedicated to helping individuals develop self-regulation skills. While working in public schools, she recognized the profound impact that regulation difficulties had on learners’ overall well-being and daily functioning. This led her to develop The Zones of Regulation, a systematic and practical framework designed to foster emotional and sensory regulation.

Since its initial publication in 2011, The Zones of Regulation has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and has been widely adopted in educational and therapeutic settings. In 2024, Leah launched The Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum, which has already been implemented in 40 countries. Her team trains more than 8,000 educators and practitioners annually around the globe, equipping them with tools to support learners in developing essential self-regulation skills.

BACKGROUND READING

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Navigating the Emotional Landscape