Behaviour Policy, Behaviour Management, Behaviour Modification versus Regulation, Co-Regulation, Self-Regulation, Dysregulation, Unregulated

In 2021 a new term was introduced in the EYFS. The term is ‘self-regulation’ – and you may have heard of ‘co-regulation’, ‘dysregulation’, ‘unregulated’…

After two years working in Hackney as the necessary post N.N.E.B experience, I joined the Advanced NNEB Course. Now modified as a level 4 qualification, I was accepted to attend one of the five pilot colleges. I planned to emigrate to Australia, but this course would add to my qualifications and help me open a nursery there. I had to specialise. I choose ‘Children with Learning Difficulties.’ Looking back, this aligned well with my interest in children’s development and supporting progress. At the time, I just wanted to help children who were not succeeding. I had some exciting and interesting placements and enjoyed writing up my thesis.

I never went to Australia (to live), which is another story, but I worked in three different ‘special schools’ after the course. The best was a small private school in Suffolk for children with ‘behavioural and language difficulties’. Just that label makes me shiver now repulsively. Would you like to be associated with that title for the rest of your life?

Times change, and ongoing research informs us to adjust practice accordingly. New language is also often introduced. In the sparkDEBATE with Amanda Peddle (watch HERE), we talk about Behaviour Policies. She explains how we should not use unhelpful labels to stigmatise children based on the behaviour the child may present.

Behaviour management was the core of that role I had in the school. I was good at making programmes and helping the team act consistently when modifying the ‘challenging behaviour’ – doing to children, rather than assisting them in regulating their behaviour. The sparkDEBATE here made me think about my practice today. It may challenge your views and approach should you be interested in learning more about ‘regulation’ and instigating improvements or an alternative to a current policy.