Product reviews for The Kindness Principle

In this insightful, thought-provoking and well-researched book, Dave Whitaker provides readers with an in-depth analysis of how staff in schools and colleges can promote positive and effective interaction with students at all levels based on kindness. The author's hypothesis that behaviour management is based on being kind in difficult and challenging environments is doable in practice is rooted in his credible vast experience. Another key feature of the text is Dave's skill in intertwining his experience alongside his recognition of effective practice and research into effective behaviour management and meeting the varied needs of learners. 

Dave's kindness principle contrasts with the current practice within a number of local authority schools, academies and colleges where behaviour management is based on strict compliance and, on occasions, zero tolerance in response to conflict resolution. And those readers who have worked in specialist centres such as PRUs will applaud Dave for highlighting the fact that, despite the difficulties faced, the excellent efforts of staff in these off-site centres reduces the isolation, vulnerability, confrontational and challenging behaviour of those students who are labelled as -˜problems'. The key is that through working with role models who engender kindness and consistency, the students learn the skills to reflect on their own behaviour and to improve it. 

Another strength of this book is that the strategies and realistic systems outlined to engender, reflect and support kindness - such as trust, positive recall and gentle reminders - are well developed and founded on firm practice, and not mere evangelical quick fixes that are ineffective in the long term. Readers will benefit greatly from the -˜Try this' sections in each chapter, which promote self-reflection and ideas for departmental or whole-school approaches to the challenges that learners face in the school setting, as well as tips to promote skills of de-escalation and conflict resolution.

The Kindness Principle is an outstanding book which should be the basis for staff development on behaviour management and dealing with conflict in all schools and colleges.