Children's social and emotional wellbeing in schools : a critical perspective / Debbie Watson ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Watson, Debbie, 1969-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Early childhood education--Social aspects--Great Britain.

Early childhood education.

Early childhood education--Great Britain--Psychological aspects.

Child development.

Educational psychology.

Classroom environment--Psychological aspects.

Classroom environment.

School children--Social conditions.

School children.

Well-being.

Psychological aspects.

Early childhood education--Social aspects.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

xi, 274 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Bristol, U.K. ; Chicago, IL : Policy Press, 2012.

Summary:

This book challenges the uncritical acceptance of the concept of wellbeing as it is applied to children, particularly in a school-based context. Taking a post-structural approach, it suggests that wellbeing should be understood, and experiences revealed, at the level of the subjective child, rather than children's wellbeing reduced to an objective list of things that are needed to live well. The book explores social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) for children and explores three key propositions: that SEWB is subjectively experienced, that it is situated and contextual, and that it is located in children's relationships with others.

The authors deconstruct the concept of wellbeing in order to see it differently and the chapters explore key themes including: revisiting the status of the child, challenging Cartesian dualist ideas of wellbeing, accessing minority voices on wellbeing, not pathologising difference and Othering, and new understandings of professionals and professionalism.

The book concludes with how SEWB with, and for, children could be differently approached in respect of policy and practice and the implications for theorising child wellbeing. It will be useful for academics and practitioners working directly with children, and anyone interested in children's wellbeing. Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Part 1 Context 15

Chapter 2 Conceptual dimensions of wellbeing 17

Chapter 3 Policy on the promotion of wellbeing in schools 41

Chapter 4 Practice of social and emotional wellbeing in schools 57

Chapter 5 The measurement of wellbeing 77

Part 2 Key issues 91

Chapter 6 Inclusion in schools 93

Chapter 7 Accessing minority voices - implications for wellbeing 111

Chapter 8 Children's peer relationships in schools 125

Chapter 9 Opportunities for playful expressions of wellbeing (by Karen Mclnnes) 143

Chapter 10 'A golden thread' - children's rights and their contribution to the wellbeing discourses (by Margaret Boushel) 157

Chapter 11 Professionals supporting wellbeing in schools 175

Part 3 New directions 193

Chapter 12 The space to do something different 195

Chapter 13 Policy and practice reflections 209

Chapter 14 Conclusion 221.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-262) and index.

ISBN:

9781847425232

1847425232

9781847425133

1847425135

OCLC:

755072770