ABSTRACT
This chapter explores what adults can do before engaging with the children/pupils. Some of the characteristics of both teachers and of the school environment may be relatively fixed, such as the personalities of teachers and some institutional requirements. Being able to empathise with other people's emotions is a very important aspect of working with angry children. Hostile adults respond to children and others in rigid, authoritarian manner, often at the expense of children's feelings and self-esteem. This person is often perceived as unfair and children behave out of fear and anxiety rather than through making responsible choices. An assertive adult states expectation clearly, confidently and consistently and is prepared to back up words with actions. Children learn to trust and respect an assertive adult because they clearly know the parameters that have been set for acceptable behaviour. Mindfulness is essentially the process of focussing on the here and now or what some refer to as 'being in the moment'.
