Guedes, MaryseVeríssimo, ManuelaSantos, António J.2024-05-152024-05-152024Guedes, M., Veríssimo, M., & Santos, A. J. (2024). Beliefs, practices and support needs of preschool teachers toward shy-withdrawn behaviours. Infant and Child Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.249915227227http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9789Shy-withdrawn behaviours place preschoolers at increasedrisk of experiencing adverse developmental outcomes. Posi-tive teacher-child relationships play a protective role againstthese negative socioemotional outcomes. This study aimedto understand, in-depth, the beliefs, practices and supportneeds of preschool teachers toward shy-withdrawn children.Thirty preschool teachers of children aged 3–5 years wereinterviewed, using a semistructured guide. The thematic anal-ysis revealed that most preschool teachers were aware of themain manifestations, transactional influences and conse-quences of shy-withdrawn behaviours, and of the empiricallyvalidated strategies that may be useful to modify them.However, a noteworthy proportion of participants reportedmisconceptions about the intentionality of shy-withdrawnbehaviours, negative emotions and inconsistent or less effec-tive practices. Our findings highlight that strengthening pre-service and in-service training and providingcoachingto thepreschool staff may be helpful to restructure dysfunctionalbeliefs about shy-withdrawn behaviours, translate develop-mental knowledge in evidence-based classroom practices andenhance professionals' self-awareness.Highlights•This study explored, in-depth, the beliefs, practicesand support needs of preschool teachers toward shy-withdrawn children Most of the 30 interviewed preschool teachers were aware of the main manifestations, transactional influences and consequences of shy-withdrawn behaviours. • Our findings highlight the need to strengthen teachers' training, bridging theoretical knowledge with professional development.engBeliefsEarly childhoodPracticesPreschool teachersShywithdrawn behavioursSupport needsjournal article10.1002/icd.2499