In this episode, I sit down with Leah Kuypers, the occupational therapist and creator of the Zones of Regulation, to talk about how this simple yet powerful framework has reshaped how educators understand and support emotional well-being in schools.
Leah shares the story behind the Zones, what inspired her to create it, and how it continues to evolve to meet the needs of neurodiverse learners today.
We also dive into the shift from behavior management to skill-building, why co-regulation is the unsung hero of classroom life, and what’s next for the Zones—including the new digital curriculum and resources for families.
Highlights:
(01:56) – The classroom experiences that sparked the Zones of Regulation
(06:05) – Turning a grad school capstone into a global curriculum
(10:11) – How schools have shifted from behavior management to emotional well-being
(13:23) – Why regulation is a developmental skill at every age
(16:36) – The teacher’s role as a co-regulator
(18:03) – The future of the Zones: digital tools, caregiver support, and new projects
Website: https://zonesofregulation.com/
Zones Visual Landing Page Link
Zones Brand Kit Folder Link
Ross Greene Reference: https://livesinthebalance.org/our-solution/
The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only, and all listeners are required to follow federal and state law, as well as their school district guidelines and policies.
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