pt. 1. Theory for the practitioner. 1. Development in the early years: some important concepts to consider : Rationale ; Positive psychology ; The concept of flow ; Neuroscience: understanding the brain ; Cognitive development ; Emotional development ; Early years learning ; Core elements of early years pedagogy ; The importance of play ; Final thoughts -- 2. Stress, concerns and coping: the worries of young children : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; What is coping? ; Appraisal ; The organization of coping ; Coping and emotions ; A child's perspective ; A theoretical model of coping ; What we know about coping ; Coping and the early years ; How we can teach coping? ; Coping and social and emotional competence ; Assessing coping competencies in early years ; Final thoughts -- 3. Situations and coping strategies: an introduction to coping images : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; From theory to practice ; Exploring coping in young children ; Coping categories ; The development of coping images ; Final thoughts -- 4. Developing coping skills in a universal group: teaching coping skills across various group settings : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; Mindset ; Elements to consider when working with a group ; Final thoughts. pt. 2. Moving, thinking, doing: applications and activities across disciplines and settings. 5. Visual arts: developing coping skills through art and play : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; Exemplars ; Final thoughts -- 6. Dance: learning coping skills through music and movement : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; Psychological-social learning in dance ; A bounty of benefits ; Delving in dance ; Exemplars ; Final thoughts -- 7. Music: feeling, creating and coping with sounds and rhythms : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; A sense of self: how music can support development? ; Responsibility for self and others: exploration through music ; Prosocial behaviour: developing through music ; Examplars ; Final thoughts -- 8. Literacy, language, words and coping: encouraging social and emotional development through narrative : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; A case study ; Exemplars ; Final thoughts -- 9. Developing coping skills in the family context: harnessing the strengths of a family group to create positive outcomes for young people : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; Parent influences ; Stresses in the family ; What families can do to develop helpful coping skills? ; Examplars ; Final thoughts -- 10. Coping and clinical contexts: support a child working with an external health professional : Rationale ; Setting the scene ; Differentiation ; When to refer to a psychologist, counsellor, psychiatrist, social worker or related professional ; A clinician's perspective ; The impact of positive psychology in educational settings ; How to assist a child under the care of an external professional ; Supporting through the classroom ; A case study ; Using coping images to teach social skills ; Counselling ; Final thoughts.