What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health?: Your Classro

Description

This book provides everything you need to know about child mental health and psychologically-informed classroom practice, navigating key therapeutic approaches and exploring how these can be applied for a more sustainable, compassionate and coherent educational ecology. Grounded in evidence-based research, the resource presents theory in an accessible format and considers our current... Read more

Author(s)

Biography

Laura Purser is the Director for SEND in Initial Teacher Education and Academic Programme Director for the BA in Primary Education at the University of Reading. Prior to her current role, Laura held senior positions at The University of Buckingham, including Assistant Director of Teacher Training, Head of Inclusion and SEND, NASENCO Course Lead and Wellbeing and Mental Health Lead. Earlier in her career, she worked as both a primary and secondary school teacher across maintained and independent sectors.

Critics' Reviews

“A significant and worthwhile contribution on a subject of nationwide importance”. - Sir Anthony Seldon FRSA, FRHistS, FKC, PhD

“This book is groundbreaking, both conceptually and practically. Its clear and incisive focus on children’s mental health in an educational context, fills the knowledge gap experienced by teachers. Every day, teachers struggle to find solutions which enable children to remain as active learners, whilst battling the barrier to learning that is mental ill health. The book is a masterpiece. Refreshing in its style and format but also beautifully crafted in its composition and construction. Laura Purser writes with clarity, authority and conviction, as she guides readers through key topics, (trauma, attachment, memory etc,). This is an essential text to stimulate debate and new pedagogy in schools.” - Professor Barry Carpenter CBE, OBE, DLitt, PhD

“What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health? radiates hope for today’s educators. Laura Purser skilfully blends psychology and pedagogy, introducing “Metaception” — a bold idea that helps teachers navigate their inner terrain. This book honours the profession, making you feel truly recognised and supported without asking you to become a therapist. It is a transformative journey through education’s vibrant, shifting landscapes, offering practical tools to nurture safety, connection and resilient classrooms. Reclaim your professional agency and embrace the truth that interaction itself becomes intervention. Essential reading that leaves you feeling energised, equipped, deeply seen and ready to lead with clarity and compassion”. - Sharon Gray, OBE NLE

"This book is a refreshing read which is needed now more than ever. It validated how I feel and what I experience, whilst gently challenging areas where I've accidentally slipped into bad habits. It's been crafted in a way to provide a pathway for all, regardless of experience and lovingly reminds you of "your why" as well as providing the tools to help you make a positive difference in children's lives. The imagery offers helpful reminders that my mental matters and being written in an approachable yet educational manner are all reasons why I will be recommending this book to all my teacher friends [and local MP!]" - Laura Fletcher, Early Career Teaching

“What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health? details the psychology underpinning mental health, identity, safety, esteem, and wellbeing and provides an applied, practical psychology for education. There is no other book on the market that addresses the Sisyphean task placed on teachers to support child mental health and none that provides such a comprehensive ‘toolbox’ for their pedagogical practice.

Through the frequent inclusion of reflective activities, vignettes, research evidence and even scripts for use in the classroom, What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health? gives an unparalleled number of practical solutions, guidance and advice. This will prove indispensable for teacher trainers, trainee and experienced teachers, school leaders and policy makers.

As an experienced teacher, teacher trainer and psychologist, Laura Purser’s use of questioning throughout the book stimulates true reflection and facilitates deep, lasting change in the reader’s thoughts, behaviours, and practice. What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health? is an essential resource for every practitioner”. - Vanessa Evagora, CPsychol, FCIEA, Head of Psychology, Teacher, Educational Assessor and Chartered Psychologist

"The book allows room for contemplation, providing research and a scope of evidence for the reader to create their own thoughts and feelings on the matter. The narrative extracts were effective in humanising the material, immersing and drawing the reader into the stories. I found myself identifying ways to shift teaching practice as vividly illustrated and consider implications, and satisfyingly using the insightful questions to ground my critical reflections. It elevated the reading experience, rather than being an observer, you feel as though you are participating in the discussion. Although the topic is quite complex, the way it reads allows you to access it. As a trainee teacher I fully understood everything. It has left me pondering a few things to consider as I move into my ECT year and has really got me thinking about my practice!" - Hannah Evans, Year 3 BA Primary Education, Student Teacher, University of Reading

“Laura is the definition of an inclusive and therapeutically informed educator. It's clear she practices what she preaches and this book solidifies ways to bring this knowledge into practice and provides insight into the difference it makes on children’s well-being.” - Olivia Lyseight-Jones, Year 3 BA Primary Education, Student, University of Reading

“I thought it was really magical and special – so much power in vulnerability… It moved me.” - Emma Broomfield, Chair of Parents and Families network, The University of Reading

“There’s definitely a gap in the market for a book which tells you about the real side of teaching. That gap has now been filled. With real life stories, advise and questions to think about, this book really gets your brain thinking. For trainee teachers, this book helps you understand the new ideas of teaching and how to support those little brains of the future” - Katie Sollars, BA Primary Education Student Teacher

“From the start, I was truly committed and felt a part of a journey [..]. I really sat back and reflected on my own school experience and my teaching practice so far. I've even been trying to implement this on placement and have really started to understand the children across Year One by just sitting there and listening […]. It's reminded me why I've wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl.” - Jaya Malhi, BA Primary Education

"The book really put you inside the mind of a child and helped understand attachment and dysregulation from their perspective. I found the examples on how the theory transforms into classroom practice well explained and relatable. I really liked the opening statement, about the discussion of the teacher role, how it has changed, growing expectations on teachers to be able to do everything, with no additional time, teacher frustration, but then also looking at what we can do to change the 'landscape of the field we are willing to stand in.' We just need government to sit and listen!" - Sarah Phelps-Jones, SENCO

What Do Teachers Need to Know About Child Mental Health? Your Classroom Compass to Psychologically-Informed Practice

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Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

Critics' Reviews

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