Promoting  
                                              Positive Behaviour  
                                            and Learning in the 
                                                Infant Classroom
                                                            (Environmental and  
                                                     Whole Class Approaches)
                                               Sophie           Seán            Róisín          Daniel
                   Contents
                   Introduction                                                            1
                   Continuum of Support                                                    2
                   Strategies for Promoting Positive Behaviour                             3
                     1.  Developing Positive Relationships                                 3
                     2.  Setting up the classroom environment and creating
                         rules, routines and reward systems                                5
                     3.  Practical strategies on creating sensory
                         friendly environments                                           10
                     4.  Incorporating elements of emotional literacy
                         into teaching and learning                                      13
                     5.  Understanding and planning for behaviours of concern            16
                   Useful Resources/Links                                                21
                   References                                                            21
                   Appendices                                                            22
                     Appendix A                                                          22
                     Appendix B                                                          23
                     Appendix C                                                          24
                     Appendix D                                                          25
                     Appendix E                                                          26
                   ‘Preparing Young Children for Primary School. A Resource for Parents,  
                   Early Learning and Care Practitioners and Schools’ is another useful 
                   resource, aimed at parents which can be found on the NCSE website.
                     Introduction
                     The aim of this booklet is to provide a brief overview of evidence based strategies to 
                     promote positive behaviour and learning in the infant classroom. This resource was 
                     developed due to growing requests from Infant class teachers for assistance in supporting 
                     students who are struggling to settle into school due to social, emotional, and behavioural 
                     difficulties. Additionally, with the unique challenges we are currently facing within the 
                     COVID-19 context, some students may face extra challenges whilst settling into a new 
                     school setting.
                     This booklet aims to support teachers to develop strategies to promote positive behaviour 
                     and learning  at Level 1 of the Continuum of Support Framework, (Classroom Support) for 
                     all for some and for a few children whilst settling into their new school. This booklet is the 
                     first in a series of booklets to support class teachers and SET teachers to promote positive 
                     behaviour and learning for children in Infant classrooms across the Continuum of Support 
                     Framework.
                     This booklet is divided into 5 sections as outlined below.
                                                                                                                         1.  Developing positive relationships
                                                                                                                              with students.
                                                                                                                          2.  Setting up the classroom
                                                                                                                               environment and creating rules,
                                                                                                                               routines and reward systems.
                                                                                                                          3.  Practical strategies on creating
                                                                                                                               sensory friendly environments.
                                                                                                                          4.    Incorporating  elements 
                                                                                                                               of emotional literacy into
                                                                                                                               teaching and learning.
                                                                                                                          5.  Understanding and planning
                                                                                                                               for behaviours of concern.
                                                                                                      Promoting Positive Behaviour and Learning in the Infant Classroom                                  1
                       Continuum of Support
                       Starting school is a significant milestone for all students. Welcoming students into an infant 
                       classroom involves careful planning on many levels. How the classroom environment is 
                       structured and how teaching and learning is supported to promote optimal learning 
                       experiences, is especially important.
                       Creating a supportive learning environment on a whole class level is considered best 
                       practice in terms of promoting positive behaviour. The Continuum of Support outlines 
                       support on three different levels within the school community. Tier 1, Whole School/
                       Classroom support for all, addresses support at a universal level and tiers 2 and 3 support for 
                       some and few, addresses the needs of students at a more targeted level.
                       The key to success in promoting positive behaviour and creating a supportive learning 
                       environment is making accommodations to meet the needs of all of your students. 
                       Once the essential accommodations are made, you can begin to identify if further 
                       more targeted support is required for some/few or individual students.
                                        ACADEMIC                                        SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL
                                      COMPETENCE                                           & BEHAVIOURAL
                                                                                             COMPETENCE
                                         Individualised &              School
                                         Specialist  Support        Support Plus
                                                                     (for a Few)
                                                                       School
                                Response to Groups                    Support
                                and Individuals                      (for Some)
                         Preventative                  Whole-School & Classroom Support
                         & Proactive                                  (for All)
                         Approaches
                       Continuum of Support image as shown in the Department of Education and Skills:  
                                                              A Continuum of Support
                       Guidelines for Primary Schools - Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs (2017).
           2           Promoting Positive Behaviour and Learning in the Infant Classroom