This essay aims to critically evaluate, compare, contrast, criticize and integrate theories, strategies and skills from humanist, psychodynamic and behaviourist perspectives. This essay will discuss Maslow, Rogers, Freudian and Skinner approaches to understanding how counseling theories can be used by teachers and other staff to support children and young people in terms of their social and emotional well-being within the educational context, and the factors that influence its use. Based on research evidence, this essay will discuss whether there is a need to support children in schools in these ways. Social and emotional well-being is one of the important areas of learning and development and plays an important role in early personal development. It is about helping and supporting children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others (DfES 2012, p69). Beyond this, children and young people need to feel securely attached and become socially competent. Early childhood workers have an important role in ensuring that children are equipped to live and relate easily to other people. Children should be able to manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger and anxiety and be able to develop high self-esteem, self-efficacy and a strong personal identity. Coordinating social and emotional development is critical to leading a purposeful and fulfilling life. Children's intellectual development is inseparable from their social and emotional development (Dowling, 2011). The social and emotional well-being of children and young people is influenced by a range of factors, such as parenting styles which cause bad behaviour, family dysfunction and sibling rivalries which lead to learning and motivation... middle of paper.... ..l Statistics (2004) Press release: One in ten children suffers from a mental disorder. Available: www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/cmd0805.pdfRogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality, and interpersonal relationships developed in the client-centered framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A Study of a Science. vol. 3: Formulations of the Person and the Social Context. New York: McGraw Hill. Rogers, C. (1951). Client-centered therapy: Current practice, implications, and theory. London: Constable.Roberts, R. (2006). Self-esteem and early learning (3rd edition), London: Sage.Rimm-Kaufman, S., Pianta, R. C. & Cox, M. (2000). Teachers' judgments on the problems of the transition to school. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 15, 147-166. Tassoni, .P, Beith, K. Gough A. & Eldridge, H. (2002). Diploma Child Care and Education, London: Heinemann Educational Publishers.