7 Key Principles Teachers can do to Address Students with Trauma

Nearly a third of teenagers had experienced trauma before the pandemic. The pandemic has increased mental health strain on our children from isolation, to losing loved ones, and decrease in support and routine.

Here are 7 key principles teachers can do to address students with trauma.

1. Recognize your own feelings first. It’s easier to understand others when we create an ability to recognize our own feelings. What do you need to fill
your cup?

2. Create a sense of stability with flexibility in the
classroom.

3. Listen and validate honestly. Trauma informed care
is based on resiliency, trust and transparency.
Sometimes they just want to be heard.

4. Encourage students to ask for help. Students may be
struggling and feeling hopeless and helpless and
may need an extra nudge to find support. Use other
resources to help where you can’t (counseling, law
enforcement, etc.)

5. Set appropriate expectations. Have a clear understanding of each students barriers and ability before
setting expectations. Where can the child excel?
Remember children with trauma want to be good at
something.

6. Remind them they are not alone. Research has
shown that individuals who have shared adverse
experiences, are more resilient and has an increased
ability to cope.

7. Use a personalized approach. All students learn differently and at various pace. Students may need
extra social-emotional support or counseling to increase their ability to learn.

7 Key Principles Teachers can do to Address
Students with Trauma

7 things teachers can do to address student trauma –
especially during distance learning | EdSource