6 November 2006
'Becoming a Problem': new ESRC project
How and Why Children Acquire a Reputation as 'Naughty' in the Earliest Years at School
Directors: Professor Maggie MacLure and Dr Liz Jones.
Researchers: Dr Rachel Holmes, Ms Christina Macrae
Start Date: 1 Sep 06
End Date: 29 Feb 08
This project is tracing the emergence of challenging behaviour amongst children in their earliest years at school. Based in 4 schools in Greater Manchester, it is investigating the ways in which some children come to be seen as ‘naughty’ or difficult in the reception year of the Foundation stage (age 4 – 5 years). The aim is to help children avoid earning a reputation as a ‘problem’ – a reputation that may otherwise follow them throughout their school years. The research team are working in collaboration with teachers and children to understand what counts as problem behaviour, how it is dealt with in the classroom, and how positive and negative pupil identities develop. A key question for the research is: what makes it difficult for some children to be, and to be recognised as, ‘good’ students?
Award Amount £139,017.23
ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-0105
