It is a myth that trauma can affect only adults. Millions of children worldwide experience intense psychological and physiological reactions to unfortunate incidents. Experts state that this can affect their mental state and learning ability, marring their overall quality of life.
Invariably, using trauma informed teaching practices in the classroom can help educators connect better with students experiencing trauma and help them heal faster. Besides assisting students in grasping various concepts more efficiently, these practices enable trainers to identify children who may be going through emotional distress.
The following information highlights the fundamental aspects of this highly effective teaching practice and why you should employ it in your classroom.
What it means
Many statistics have shown that a large percentage of boys and girls experience PTSD due to neglect, psychological abuse, and physical or sexual violence. Trauma-informed practices in the classroom can help youngsters who have been through such terrifying experiences cope with their distress and deal with it healthily.
In short, it begins with understanding how emotional and psychological stress can affect learning abilities and behavior. Consequently, the understanding reflects on teaching practices to help such individuals in a better way.
Recognizing signs of trauma
Looking out for signs of psychological stress is paramount. A child that overreacts to common everyday challenges or has frequent flare-ups and sudden bouts of aggression is most likely experiencing some form of trauma. They also typically fall behind in their lessons, seem unusually sad, and have unacceptable social behavior.
Extreme cases often manifest physically, such as inexplicable headaches or severe stomach pain, causing the child to lose focus on self and surroundings.
Types of strategies to use
You can choose from several constructive and powerful trauma informed teaching techniques to help traumatized individuals deal with their issues while focusing on the curriculum. Some popular ones to try are the following:
- Mindfulness exercises: It is not wise to use traditional mindfulness with traumatized kids as it could trigger them to act out. For example, asking a child to face their emotional turmoil could result badly if they are not ready for it. So, inculcate trauma sensitivity into mindfulness for it to have the maximum positive impact. You could encourage walking meditation, finger breathing, and grounding with colors and sound, besides promoting body awareness for a more excellent result.
- Positive communication: Consider using encouraging words and a friendly tone instead of a commanding directive with children who do not respond well to authority. It will help build trust and enable them to deal with anger and emotional upheaval.
- Dependable routines: Predictable routines can help children who feel their lives are out of control to re-establish confidence and a sense of comfort and control. Also, discuss any plans to change the routine with the pupils beforehand to avoid shocking them suddenly.
- Assistance from specialists: Involving mental health experts and the school counselor can give you extra support to effectively establish these techniques in the class.
Final thoughts
A surefire way to include these techniques in the classroom is to rely on an industry expert with at least a decade or more of experience. These professionals have ready-to-use methods, and programs that enable educators and pupils to grow together, ensuring common goals are achieved a lot quicker.
So, find a reputable specialist and invest in their highly effective programs to begin a new journey to mental and emotional well-being alongside your students as soon as possible.