The positive educational practices framework: A tool for facilitating the work of educational psychologists in promoting pupil wellbeing

Abstract

This paper outlines the Positive Educational Practices (PEPs) Framework, an organising tool for facilitating the work of educational psychologists in promoting pupil wellbeing and supporting pupils to achieve learning outcomes and engage in pro-social behaviour. The PEPs Framework is an example of applied positive psychology, in itself a movement which has shifted the primary focus of psychologists from deficits, problems and treatment to a preventative focus on positive experiences, strengths and the intentional promotion of wellbeing and resilience. PEPs is a wide-ranging prevention framework based on five foundations of wellbeing drawn not only from research in positive psychology but also from research in other contemporary psychological and educational movements that are consistent with positive psychology. The five foundations: social and emotional competency, positive emotions, positive relationships, engagement through strengths and a sense of meaning and purpose are outlined along with examples of practical suggestions that can contribute to their achievement.