‘Coaching differently’: using positive practice-based group coaching to promote personal and professional well-being

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) teachers face significant challenges to their personal and professional well-being that can influence the quality of their interactions with children. Despite this recognition, interventions exploring the potential of Positive Psychology and School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) to address the personal and professional well-being of ECEC teachers are lacking. In this paper, we present how a training program, theoretically grounded on the PERMA model and SWPBS approach, was delivered to 50 Portuguese ECEC teachers using an innovative coaching model, Positive Practice-based Group Coaching. The participants attended 10 on-site training sessions designed to explore the potential of group dynamics on self-reflection and problem-solving. Results indicate that the integration of the PERMA model and SWPBS approach was highly satisfactory and that a non-directive, flexible, and informal coaching style was crucial for the success of the implementation process. We discuss how Positive Practice-based Group Coaching can be useful for future professional development actions to promote the personal and professional well-being of professionals in ECEC.