Contemporary Approaches to Behaviour and Mental Health in the Classroom


Book Description

Based on latest research in the field, this book links theory and practice with key agendas and policies on behaviour, children’s mental health and well-being. It considers how policy and research influence each other and provides a range of whole-school and individual-teacher actions to support all children, but particularly for those whose behaviour is seen as challenging. Emma Clarke provides guidance on how practitioners can most effectively support children and manage pupils’ behaviour and tracks how theory and policy has had a meaningful impact on what we do in the classroom. The book is divided into three distinct parts, each with its own set of reflective activities and thinking points as well as suggestions for further reading. Chapters in Part I include a focus on what informs the actions taken to support and manage behaviour in the classroom. In Part II, the chapters move on to consider specific approaches and delve into the theories and research which underpin them. Part III shares ethos-focused approaches to supporting behaviour, including the use of philosophical inquiry by Dr Aimee Quickfall, a timely and highly important review of the ‘eternal verities’ by Professor John Visser, and an overview of Finnish perspectives on behaviour in schools, as Finland is often, and rightly, held up as a beacon on good practice. The book presents a range of research, policy and practice and, as such, aims to be of use to a range of readers. It can support and develop practitioners in the classroom, from early career teachers to those with a wealth of experience, as well as senior leaders and those working in wider contexts with children. It will also be useful for students and researchers due to the balance of theory and practice presented.




A Handbook for Retaining Early Career Teachers


Book Description

This book addresses the global concern of teacher attrition rates, particularly those who walk away from the profession within the first five years. The author offers new knowledge about the factors that influence beginning teachers’ career decisions through an in-depth examination of their lived experiences. Using a unique lens that explores the complexities of a beginning teacher’s classroom through its many attendant axiological, structural, interpersonal, and practical contexts, the book presents strategies that address the deep matters of retention in the educational arena. Using its insights, school leaders are enabled to shift the balance of school policy understanding towards beginning teachers’ acute needs for support. Based on an empirical study of more than 2,000 beginning teachers and school leaders, this book reveals perceptions, truths, and lived experiences in order to guide the development of effective retention strategies and policies, which are fundamental to stabilising the teacher workforce.




Mental Health and Attendance at School


Book Description

A comprehensive and practical guide to understanding the links between mental health and school attendance in children and young people.




Fostering Healthy Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Development in Children and Youth


Book Description

Healthy mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) development is a critical foundation for a productive adulthood. Much is known about strategies to support families and communities in strengthening the MEB development of children and youth, by promoting healthy development and also by preventing and mitigating disorder, so that young people reach adulthood ready to thrive and contribute to society. Over the last decade, a growing body of research has significantly strengthened understanding of healthy MEB development and the factors that influence it, as well as how it can be fostered. Yet, the United States has not taken full advantage of this growing knowledge base. Ten years later, the nation still is not effectively mitigating risks for poor MEB health outcomes; these risks remain prevalent, and available data show no significant reductions in their prevalence. Fostering Healthy Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Development in Children and Youth: A National Agenda examines the gap between current research and achievable national goals for the next ten years. This report identifies the complexities of childhood influences and highlights the need for a tailored approach when implementing new policies and practices. This report provides a framework for a cohesive, multidisciplinary national approach to improving MEB health.







Promoting Mental, Emotional, and Social Health


Book Description

A clear and practical overview of ways in which mainstream schools can promote the health of all who work and learn in them. Evidence is supported by the latest research findings from the UK, Europe and USA.




Mental Health and Wellbeing through Schools


Book Description

Mental Health and Wellbeing through Schools brings together international experts from various disciplines to identify and address a range of current challenges in this rapidly-developing field of endeavour. The opening chapter details lessons learned from research and practice, outlining some emerging challenges for the effective implementation of mental health initiatives in schools. Subsequent chapters take up the various issues, exploring problems and proposing solutions. Topics fall within four broad areas: Organisational and leadership issues such as dealing with 'wicked' or ‘hard-to-tame’ (complex and resistant) problems and taking a broad public health approach; Teacher-related issues, such as how to integrate programs successfully into schools, and teacher skills and professional learning; The challenges and opportunities of new technologies, including cyberbullying and the use of online, multimedia and mobile resources for both student and teacher learning and support; The need for a greater focus on targeted interventions for at-risk students, such as those with disabilities; also addressing ‘hard-to-tame’ problems such as bullying, youth suicide and depression. Mental Health and Wellbeing through Schools will be of interest to those involved in researching, developing, evaluating and implementing mental health initiatives in schools, including academics, practitioners, educators and educational and Mental Health policy makers. It will also be of use to professionals, such as nurses and social workers, concerned with the wellbeing of children and adolescents. The book will have international appeal, with contributors from around the world, experienced in a range of contexts. Rosalyn H. Shute is Adjunct Professor of Psychology at both Flinders and Federation Universities (Australia). Her research expertise lies broadly in clinical child psychology and paediatric psychology/child health and wellbeing. She is an experienced teacher of Developmental Psychology, educational and clinical child/paediatric psychology. Phillip T. Slee is a Professor in Human Development in the School of Education at Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia. He is a trained teacher and registered psychologist. His main areas of interest include childhood bullying/aggression, mental health and wellbeing, stress and teacher education. He has a particular interest in the practical and policy implications of his research. He and Shute recently co-authored Child Development: Theories and Critical Perspectives.




Mental Health and Wellbeing


Book Description

"Provides a significant overview of the matter of mental health and wellbeing with particular reference to educational contexts ... Presents an authoritiative and diverse account of: links between wellbeing and learning; interventions and initiatives in the field; evidence based practice guidelines; policy and practice examples." -- Back cover.







Constructing Capacities


Book Description

Constructing Capacities: Building Capabilities through Learning and Engagement explores several contemporary manifestations of individuals, groups and communities participating in varying types of learning and thereby engaging effectively and productively with their contexts and environments in order to build and develop their multiple capacities. These capacities are seen as crucial to overcoming particular kinds of challenges and to attaining specific types of aspirations that are valued highly by the respective individuals, groups and communities. Despite this common valuing of constructing capacities, we still know relatively little about how capacities can be built and enhanced in ways that are equitable, sustainable and transformative. Much of the literature highlights contextually specific factors that facilitate capacity-building for particular groups of participants at specific times, and that are founded on demonstrated principles such as understanding and engaging with those participants’ respective aspirations, circumstances and needs. Yet what works to develop capabilities in one context might not succeed in another context, even with the same participants – generating momentum and achieving scale and sustainability are often challenges when seeking to build capacities. For all these reasons, it is both timely and useful to extend contemporary understandings of capacities and how they can be constructed effectively and sustainably. The 14 chapters in this book take up this challenge by presenting theoretically framed and rigorously researched accounts of successful capacity-building in diverse educational settings, clustered around four foci: • conceptualising and contextualising capacities; • constructing students’ and teachers’ capacities; • constructing workers’ capacities; • constructing researchers’ capacities. These accounts generate new and important understandings of what capacities are, how they can be constructed and supported, and how they enhance positive outcomes for individuals and communities as well as nationally and globally.