A groundbreaking initiative to support young children’s emotional development is underway in Midlothian, where a feasibility study of the internationally recognised PAX Good Behaviour Game (PAX GBG) is being piloted in early years settings.

Led by Dr. Joanne O’Keeffe, the UK’s only accredited PAX GBG trainer, the project is a collaboration with Midlothian Surestart, a grassroots organisation dedicated to early childhood development. The study explores how the PAX GBG, a behaviour management programme designed to foster self-regulation and resilience, can be adapted for Scottish pre-school environments.

In March 2025, five early years practitioners from four local settings received training from the PAXIS Institute in the U.S., supported by resource kits and the PAX UP! app. The training was made possible through funding that also covers materials, evaluation and a dissemination seminar scheduled for later this year.

The programme, which has already been implemented with children aged 2 - 5, uses a randomised control design, considered the gold standard in evaluating educational interventions. Children are encouraged to co-create their classroom environment, identifying behaviours they want to see more of (PAX) and less of (SPLEEMS), fostering a sense of ownership and emotional awareness.

Cheryl-Lee Brown, CEO of Midlothian Surestart, who is overseeing the implementation and evaluation, commented:

"We’ve seen children as young as three begin to model positive behaviours for their peers. It’s a powerful tool for building confidence and reducing challenging behaviour."

Feedback from staff has been largely positive, though some noted the need to adapt the programme’s American roots for a UK context. Some spoke about how they were sceptical at first, but they have seen the difference it makes with less disruption meaning more opportunities for children to thrive.

In recognition of the project’s innovative approach, Dr. O’Keeffe was invited to speak at the recent CiviContribution Celebration event, where she shared insights into the programme’s early successes and its potential to transform early years education across Scotland.

The study’s findings will inform potential scaling of the programme, with hopes of securing further support from the Scottish Government. If successful, the PAX GBG could become a cornerstone of early years education, equipping children with lifelong tools for emotional regulation and resilience.