We hope your school year is off to a good start! Throughout the year we will continue have a Tool of the Month to promote self-regulation based on the Zones of Regulation Program. The Program was created by Occupational Therapist Leah Kuypers to teach children to identify how they are feeling and strategies to help them self-regulate. There are four zones: the blue zone (low energy or sad), the green zone (relaxed, content), the yellow zone (a little too much energy, worried or excited), and the red zone (too much energy or angry). See our Zones of Regulation page for more details. The Tool of the Month for September is Body Pretzels. Body Pretzels help with attention and organization by relaxing the mind and body as energy circulates. They can be done while sitting or standing.
Instruct your child to do the following:
Instruct your child to do the following:
- Extend arms straight out in front of the body.
- Turn hands so thumbs are facing down and palms are facing out.
- Cross wrists.
- Link fingers.
- Draw hands up towards the chest.
- Cross ankles (optional).
- Close eyes (optional).
- Breathe deeply and relax for approximately 1 minute.