Supporting Behaviour and Emotions in the Early Years: Strategies and Ideas for Early Years Educators

Have you ever wondered why children behave the way they do or why they can become overwhelmed with emotions so quickly? This practical resource has been created to help educators effectively support their children’s behaviour and better understand their emotions.

The book focuses on the idea that all behaviour is a form of communication and explores central areas such as self-regulation and attachment, offering strategies that can be used to support challenging behaviour. Each chapter includes examples of practice, reflective questions and an activity for the reader to help consolidate their learning and encourage them to become ‘behaviour detectives’.

Key topics discussed include:

• Attachment theory, adverse childhood experiences and the importance of feeling safe and secure in the home and setting.
• Characteristics of children during conflict situations or moments of challenging behaviour.
• Developmentally appropriate expectations for children, and why it is vital that expectations are realistic.
• Emotion coaching and the significance of acknowledging and validating feelings.
• Linking behaviour with schematic play.

Written from first-hand experience and filled with practical advice as well as recommendations for further reading and resources, Supporting Behaviour and Emotions in the Early Years is an essential read for early years educators.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Feeling safe and secure
2. Why children behave the way they do
3. Realistic expectations
4. Acknowledging and validating feelings
5. Becoming a behaviour detective
6. Strategies to support challenging behaviour
7. Self-regulation and co-regulation
8. Linking behaviour and emotions with schematic play
9. Our ethos and partnerships
10. Concluding remarks