Environment audit – PSED: managing feelings and behaviour

Use this audit tool to decide what changes you need to make and to check which resources are available or need to be provided.

Room layout and resources / √ / X
Under 3s
Arrange cosy, quiet places for children to be calm, rest and relax.
Provide comfortable seating such as a sofa or cushions for young children and key persons to be together.
Have storage systems that make it easy for the youngest children to access toys and comforters.
A range of resources including picture books and posters that focus on a range of emotions.
Choose books and stories in which characters help and support each other.
Provide books, stories and puppets that can be used to model responding to others’ feelings and emotions.
Display photographs of children and adults in the setting, with different emotions for children to look at and talk about.
Have flexible routines so that children can pursue their interests, reducing incidents of frustration and conflict.
Children (and staff) are prepared for changes which may occur in routines.
3-5s
Use persona dolls to help children consider feelings, ways to help others feel better about themselves, and how to deal with conflict.
Make available a range of music that captures different moods.
Put in place ways in which children can let others know how they are feeling, for example a feelings washing line.
Provide a space for children to calm down or to use when they want to be quiet.
Have familiar, predictable routines such as setting tables or tidying up.
Include activities which encourage children to share, get along with others and work as part of a team.
Plan small group circle times where children can explore their feelings- when they were excited, lonely etc.
Involve children in agreeing routines, rules and codes of behaviour and in taking responsibility for implementing them.
Include books with stories about characters that follow or break rules and the effects of their behaviour on others.