The Story Behind Fern Family Co.'s Zones, Emotion Regulation Board

As parents, we know how tricky it can be to guide kids through big emotions—especially when they’re still learning to identify and express what they feel. The Zones | Emotion Regulation Board was born from our experience with my son, Beckham, and our journey to help him better understand and manage his emotions at home and at school.

Beckham’s Journey with Emotions

Last year, Beckham began using the Zones board after facing emotional challenges at school. Like many young kids, he struggled to recognize his feelings—especially sadness, which often came out all at once. He would cry over things that seemed small: not getting called on, making a mistake, or feeling overwhelmed.

We were grateful he was beginning to express himself, but we also wanted to give him tools to navigate those feelings without feeling isolated. We began working with an occupational therapist (OT), who introduced us to the zones of regulation—a framework for helping kids understand and manage emotions.

The breakthrough came when we realized Beckham needed a visual tool to connect with daily. Instead of relying on paper-based printables, I started designing a reusable version with stickers—something more durable, easy to update, and visually inviting. Once I saw how much it helped him, I knew I wanted to share it with other families, too.

How the Zones | Emotion Regulation Board Works

The Zones | Emotion Regulation Board is a simple, reusable visual tool that helps kids recognize how they’re feeling and choose healthy ways to respond.

Developed with the guidance of an OT, it includes:

-Color-coded zones to help kids name what they’re feeling

-Visual strategy stickers to guide self-regulation

-A minimal, modern design made for ease of use at home or school

The four zones of regulation include:

-Blue Zone – Sad, tired, bored

-Green Zone – Calm, focused, happy

-Yellow Zone – Frustrated, anxious, excited

-Red Zone – Angry, panicked, overwhelmed

Once kids identify their zone, they can choose from a list of calming strategies—like taking deep breaths, asking for help, or using positive self-talk.

Why Emotional Regulation Matters

Even as adults, we sometimes struggle to manage our emotions—so it's no surprise that kids need help developing those skills. Emotional regulation takes time and practice, but when we equip children early on, it builds confidence, independence, and resilience.

By helping our kids name and navigate their emotions, we give them a foundation for handling life’s challenges with strength and self-awareness.

Our Family’s Transformation

The Zones | Emotion Regulation Board has been a game-changer for Beckham. He now has a reliable way to check in with himself, pick a strategy, and take action—whether it’s independently or with a gentle reminder from a teacher or parent.

What we love most is that he’s not only learning to express emotions, but to manage them. With every step, he’s gaining the confidence and tools he needs to face harder days in the future.

That’s what inspired me to offer this board to other families—so more kids can feel supported, and more parents can feel hopeful.

want to try the board at home or school?

If you're looking to support your child with emotional regulation, the Zones | Emotion Regulation Board is a great place to start.

👇 I’m also sharing the exact printable strategy cards we use—just pop your info below, and I’ll send them straight to your inbox!