What is Trauma?

Trauma is very complex and can be difficult to understand. An easy way to think about trauma is to remember it is an event that happens that a person does not have the ability to cope with.

When a person has trauma, they may have large reactions to small things. This is important to understand while in the classroom because it can help you to understand behaviors and interventions that may help.

Trauma Informed Learning

Effects of trauma

While there are many trauma can present itself, here are common examples:

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Social isolation

  • Difficulty seeking help

  • Hypersensitivity to physical contact

  • Poor emotional regulation

  • Problems with academic achievement

  • Oppositional or antisocial behaviors

While a school is not a mental health facility and teachers are not therapists, teaching students can require alternative strategies to help students be successful.

Here are tips to help bring trauma informed learning into a classroom:

  • Create a safe environment

    • Create a predictable environment with clear expectations.

    • Create structure during the day and try not to deviate from schedules too often.

    • Create a quiet, safe place in the classroom for students to go to when they are feeling overwhelmed.

    • Have sensory materials for students, such as a stress ball, items with different fabrics, journaling tools, etc.

    • Incorporate music into the classroom.

  • Remain calm, quiet, and present

    • Watch the tone and speed your voice and your words- traumatized children are hypersensitive to facial expressions, volume of voice, tone, etc. children are very good at picking up on stress-related behaviors from the adults around them.

    • Try and meet students where they are at, give them time to process and respond to questions.

    • Role model body language. Try keeping a slow body, slow the speed you are talking, and try to minimize body language.

    • Practice active listening and demonstrating empathy.

  • Teach positive self-talk to students and incorporate using specific phrases such as, “You did a great job finishing your math today” or “You did a great job paying attention in class today”.

  • Teach stress management or relaxation skills