Trauma Informed Approaches

Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being - SAMHSA

Key Principles of a Trauma Informed Approach

Traumatic stress can severely impact a student’s ability to learn, function in social environments, or manage their emotions and behaviors. Becoming a trauma-informed educator means becoming more acutely aware of how trauma alters the lens through which its victims see their world, and building practices that honor that reality. We focus on:

• Safety

• Trustworthiness and Transparency

• Peer Support

• Collaboration and Mutuality

• Empowerment, Voice and Choice

• Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

Trauma Informed Strategies to Use in the Classroom

Here are some of the most effective tools and trauma informed strategies to help students deal with stressful situations at home, at school, and in their communities:

Look beyond the behavior:

Research has shown that traumatic experiences alter the brain and can affect children socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. It’s a quadruple whammy. “Rather than jumping to the conclusion that she’s a problem, ask yourself, ‘What happened to this child, and why is she behaving this way?’ ”

Build relationships:

You already know how important it is to have good relationships with your students. But for children who have been affected by trauma, strong connections are vital. Rich relationships with teachers help children form the foundations of resilience.

Create a safe environment:

You play a critical role in making your students feel welcome in your classroom. Students have to feel secure and connected, both to adults and to peers, in order to learn.

Meet students where they are:

To help a student experiencing trauma feel settled in the classroom, you might need to make special accommodations. Design creative solutions for students who are dealing with the aftermath of trauma. (See eBook for examples)

Be predictable:

Feeling out of control is one of the hallmarks of traumatic experiences, so adhering to a clear, predictable routine in your classroom provides students with a sense of stability.