Emotion Headquarters Poster Set
Emotion Headquarters Control Panel
THE ZONES OF REGULATION
Every feeling has a role to play. Scan your console, identify your zone, and choose the right tool to stay in control!
Rest & Recharge
BLUE ZONE
Sadness
Feels Like:
Sad Tired Sick Bored Lonely Moving Slow
Body Clues:
Low battery, heavy eyelids, quiet voice, slumping shoulders.
Headquarters Tools:
- β’ Drink a cup of cold water
- β’ Take a 5-minute quiet rest
- β’ Talk with a trusted teacher or friend
Ready to Learn
GREEN ZONE
Joy
Feels Like:
Happy Calm Focused Proud Ready Content
Body Clues:
Relaxed shoulders, steady breathing, smiling, open ears.
Maintain the Flow:
- β’ Help and encourage a classmate
- β’ Set a goal and stay on task
- β’ Share a kind thought or gratitude
Caution & Pause
YELLOW ZONE
Fear & Anxiety
Feels Like:
Worried Frustrated Silly Excited Overwhelmed Wiggly
Body Clues:
Butterflies in stomach, fast pulse, fidgety hands, tense chest.
Headquarters Tools:
- β’ 5-finger breathing or box breathing
- β’ Squeeze a stress ball or sensory fidget
- β’ Use positive self-talk: "I am safe and capable"
Stop & Cool Down
RED ZONE
Anger
Feels Like:
Furious Panicked Explosive Yelling Terrified Out of Control
Body Clues:
Clenched fists, boiling hot face, clenched jaw, racing heart.
Emergency Tools:
- β’ STOP & step away to a safe calm space
- β’ Take 5 deep "volcano" belly breaths
- β’ Heavy work: wall push-ups or chair press
3-Step Console Check-In There are no "bad" zones β’ All emotions are signals!
1
SCAN YOUR BODY
Check heartbeat, breathing, muscles & energy level.
2
NAME YOUR ZONE
Identify which Inside Out emotion is at the console.
3
USE A REGULATION TOOL
Pick a strategy to reset, refocus, or cool down.
Zone 01 β’ Low Energy Headquarters Focus Sheet
THE BLUE ZONE
When your energy is low and your brain needs time to recharge.
Console Guide Sadness
"Crying and resting helps me slow down and process what feels heavy. When we honor our sadness, we make room for healing and joy."
Emotions & Feelings in the Blue Zone
π’ Sad Tearful or hurt
π₯± Tired Drained battery
π€ Sick Body feels weak
πΆ Bored Uninterested
Body Detective Signals
Low Energy
Limbs feel heavy, feet drag, slow walking pace.
Quiet Voice
Whispering, head resting down on desk, slumping.
Watery Eyes
Frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, or tears falling.
Headquarters Reset Tools for the Blue Zone
1
Cold Water & Healthy Snack
Hydrate your brain and give your body instant nutrition to wake up.
2
Gentle Stretch & Walk
Roll your shoulders, reach high for the sky, and do a quick lap.
3
Talk to an Adult or Friend
Share what is weighing on your mind. You don't have to carry it alone.
4
Rest in the Cozy Corner
Take 3-5 quiet minutes with a soft cushion to let your nervous system reset.
Remember: It's okay to feel down. Give yourself grace and time to recharge!
Zones of Regulation
Zone 02 β’ Optimal State Headquarters Focus Sheet
THE GREEN ZONE
When you are calm, focused, and ready to learn and collaborate.
Console Guide Joy
"Look on the bright side! When our minds are balanced and peaceful, we can solve any problem and lift everyone around us up!"
Emotions & Feelings in the Green Zone
π Happy Warm & cheerful
π§ Calm Peaceful mind
π― Focused Ready to learn
π€ Proud Cooperative
Body Detective Signals
Steady Pulse
Breathing is slow and smooth; chest and shoulders are loose.
Open Posture
Sitting up comfortably, eye contact, smiling easily.
Active Listening
Ears are open, thoughts are on the task, hands are ready.
Strategies to Maintain the Green Flow
1
Celebrate & Share Joy
Give a genuine compliment to a classmate or teacher today.
2
Set a Mini Challenge
Channel your good energy into solving a tough problem or creative project.
3
Practice Daily Gratitude
Name 3 things you are thankful for in your classroom right now.
4
Support a Friend
Notice if someone is in Blue or Yellow and offer a kind word.
Goal: Green is optimal for learning, but all humans move between zones all day!
Zones of Regulation
Zone 03 β’ Heightened Alert Headquarters Focus Sheet
THE YELLOW ZONE
When your internal alarm sounds and your energy level spikes.
Console Guide Fear & Anxiety
"Our job is to keep you safe! When the caution lights flash, don't panicβjust pause, take deep breaths, and choose your safety tools."
Emotions & Feelings in the Yellow Zone
π° Anxious Worried about what's next
π€ Frustrated Stuck on a task
π€ͺ Silly Wiggly & distracted
π€© Excited Too much energy
Body Detective Signals
Buzzing Energy
Fast heartbeat, tapping feet, restless fingers, jumping.
Short Breaths
Shallow breathing into the chest, butterfly stomach flutter.
Racing Brain
Hard to focus on instructions, over-thinking everything.
Headquarters Calming & Reset Tools
1
5-Finger Trace Breathing
Breathe in as you trace up a finger, breathe out tracing down.
2
5-4-3-2-1 Sensory Grounding
Name 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste.
3
Stress Squeeze & Release
Squeeze a fidget or your fists for 5 seconds, then let all tension melt away.
4
Affirmation: "I Am in Control"
Whisper: "My feelings are big right now, but I can steer my ship."
Yellow Alert: Catch it early! Using tools in Yellow stops you from boiling over into Red.
Zones of Regulation
Zone 04 β’ Extreme Intensity Headquarters Focus Sheet
THE RED ZONE
When intense feelings take over and the emergency brake is needed.
Console Guide Anger
"When things feel unfair, my engine catches fire! That's when we must hit the EMERGENCY BRAKE before we say or do something we regret."
Emotions & Feelings in the Red Zone
π‘ Furious Boiling angry
π₯ Explosive Wanting to yell
π± Panicked Extreme terror
π Out of Control Unsafe impulses
Body Detective Signals
Hot Face & Ears
Blood rushes to cheeks, sweating, feeling overheated.
Clenched Muscles
Fists are tight, jaw is clenched, teeth grinding, ready to strike.
Loud Voice / Tunnel
Heavy panting, urge to scream or slam, tunnel vision.
Emergency De-escalation Protocol
1
Emergency Stop (Freeze!)
Do NOT talk, argue, or react. Zip your lips and put hands in pockets.
2
Move to a Safe Calm Space
Step away from others immediately into the classroom calm-down corner.
3
Heavy Work: Wall Pushes
Press both hands against the wall as hard as you can for 10 seconds to burn off adrenaline.
4
Ice Water or Cool Towel
Splash cool water on wrists or drink a cold glass to reset the vagus nerve.
Safety First: Feeling angry is never wrong, but keeping hands and words safe is always our job!
Zones of Regulation