App review by Adirondack AccessAbility Inc., Common Sense Education | Updated February 2014

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The Zones of Regulation

Name: The Zones of Regulation
Item: The Zones of Regulation
Rating: 3
Author: Adirondack AccessAbility Inc.

Fun supplement for kids who struggle with social-emotional skills

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Editorial review by Common Sense Education

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Grades

1–7

Subjects & Skills

Character & SEL

Great for

SEL, Special Needs

Take a look inside

5 images

Users can win tokens, then purchase virtual prizes.

Before the questions, the app starts by teaching the four zones.

The graphics have a great, 3-D look, as seen here.

Pros: Helps teach kids who struggle socially learn how to identify emotions and use strategies to deal with them.

Cons: It's likely to only be effective for those who read well, and for those who are engaged in the related curriculum and book.

Bottom Line: For solid readers using the Zone curriculum to learn about emotions, the great visuals will help teach these important skills.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Because of its nature, The Zones of Regulation is probably best used in one-on-one sessions with students who struggle with self-control. It's likely to be most effective for kids if teachers use similar and consistent vocabulary between the app and any real-life scenarios to help ensure transfer.

Depending on students' social abilities, teachers may want to use the app in a small-group setting, encouraging students to assist each other in the learning of explicit skills, as well as in practicing real-life scenarios. Lastly, if teachers have access, they should review and use The Zones of Regulation book and curriculum as it's likely to increase the app's effectiveness.

What Is It?

The Zones of Regulation is based on the book and curriculum Zones of Regulation by Leah Kuypers -- together, they're designed to support kids and adults who struggle with social and emotional control. The app presents users with a variety of situations and circumstances; this practice helps them understand and define their feelings, consider behavior options, and develop strategies to maintain appropriate behavior.

After selecting an avatar and identifying hot spots on the path, kids explore the four zones of emotions. As they play and answer questions, they'll earn tokens to exchange for rewards. Questions begin simply, progressing toward deeper levels of understanding. Learning is intended to help skills transfer to real life: emotional awareness; recognizing how behaviors impact others; self-regulation. In order to use the app independently, kids should be competent readers; it's recommended the app be used in conjunction with the adjoining book and curriculum.

Is It Good for Learning?

Kids who struggle in social situations can certainly benefit from using The Zones of Regulation. The great graphics help students identify and understand emotions and specific scenarios that might otherwise cause them confusion. The premise is fantastic, but students will need to be competent readers to use the app independently.

Alternately, the app could be used one-on-one with a teacher, or it could make a good small class activity. In addition, it's challenging to use as a stand-alone app without the benefit of the Zone Curriculum. Nevertheless, it can be used alone, with teacher support, to the benefit of those who struggle in social situations.

Learning Rating

Overall Rating

Engagement

The avatars are cool and the graphics almost look 3-D. While they're engaging enough, the scenes don't offer much variety.

Pedagogy

The app does a great job addressing different emotions and scenarios, but kids will likely need guidance to transfer what they're learning to their real lives.

Support

Feedback is generally immediate. However, to really understand the app Kids will need to have read the adjoining book or used the Zone Curriculum.

Common Sense reviewer

Adirondack AccessAbility Inc. Assistive Technology Consultants & Trainers

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