Empirical research shows that when School Wide Positive Behaviour Support is implemented systematically and with fidelity for at least 2-3 consecutive years, behavioral problems decrease (20 – 60%), student achievement improves, school climate becomes more positive and safer among children and staff, bullying behaviour decreases, and student social competence improves. Through collaboration between ECEC centers and academic institutions in Europe, PBS-ECEC focuses on applying a program-wide approach to promote children’s socioemotional competence in four EU countries (Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland) under the ERASMUS+ KA2 programme of the European Commission.

The project will serve the basic need of all partners and their respective target groups to effectively address behavior problems from the very early years of children’s education, by building learners’ socioemotional competence to learn in a socially inclusive environment. Such an accomplishment will have multiple benefits in early childhood education and beyond. It will operate as a preventative means of children’s school failure and problem behaviors. The project results will strengthen teacher education and training, and provide evidenced based practices for promoting socioemotional development in ECEC, a crucial dimension in child development and wellbeing, and a transversal domain in all partner countries. By equipping early childhood teachers with skills as the above mentioned, it is anticipated a boost of their professional development and their well-being. In line with the partners’ work and objectives, the project will support them to expand their knowledge and skills in this topic, improve their capacities to learn, collaborate, and better serve their target groups in their respective countries.