10: Behaviour for Learning or Behaviour Management?

The regulatory framework governing the work of teachers identifies the ­statutory duty of professionals working in educational settings to ‘manage behaviour effectively to establish a good and safe learning environment’ (Teachers’ Standards (TS 7) Department for Education, 2012). Behaviour is a function of many variables including the nature of emotional attachment in infancy (C. A. Bergin & Bergin, 2009; Bowlby, 1969), the ability to self-regulate, to recognise and manage emotions (Slater & Bremner, 2011), self-efficacy beliefs (Bandura, 1977, 1986), intrinsic motivation (Ryan & Deci, 2000) and a theory of mind (ToM) enabling children to understand and predict the feelings of others (Newton & Jenvey, 2011).