Trauma Basics
These are strategies schools use to understand how trauma affects students and support their needs.
What are trauma-informed practices?
This principle means students feel physically and emotionally secure at school.
What is safety?
These help students know what to expect throughout the school day.
What are predictable routines?
Teachers should avoid making these about why a student is acting a certain way.
What are assumptions?
These students can benefit from trauma-informed practices, not just students who have experienced trauma.
Who are all students?
This is one way trauma may affect a student's ability to learn in class.
What is difficulty concentrating?
This principle involves being consistent, keeping promises, and communicating clear expectations.
What is trustworthiness?
This strategy involves getting to know students, listening to them, and showing that you care.
What is building relationships?
Instead of focusing only on punishment, teachers can help students learn these.
What are positive behaviors and helpful skills?
This can help students feel safe, respected, and comfortable participating in class.
What are positive teacher-student relationships?
Students who experience trauma may show these emotions, including anxiety, frustration, or sadness.
What are emotional changes?
This principle gives students choices and opportunities to express their needs.
What are student voice and empowerment?
Teachers can offer these so students have different ways to complete assignments or demonstrate learning.
What are choices?
Withdrawing from classmates, difficulty concentrating, and emotional changes can be possible signs of this.
What are possible effects of trauma?
This principle helps every student feel accepted and valued in the classroom community.
What is inclusion?
Teachers should not automatically assume a student's behavior means this has happened to them.
What is experiencing trauma?
This principle encourages teachers, families, and school staff to work together.
What is collaboration?
When a student becomes upset, teachers can use this tone of voice to avoid escalating the situation.
What is a calm voice?
These people can work with teachers to provide additional support for students.
Who are families, school counselors, and support staff?
Working with these people can help teachers better understand and support a student's needs.
Who are families?
This is the main goal of trauma-informed practices in schools.
What is creating a safe, supportive learning environment for all students?
These six principles include safety, trustworthiness, student voice and empowerment, collaboration, peer support, and inclusion and engagement.
What are the six principles of trauma-informed schools?
These strategies help students practice managing their emotions and handling stressful situations.
What are coping skills?
Teachers should take this step when a student needs more help than classroom strategies can provide.
What is connecting the student with appropriate support resources?
Instead of only asking, "What is wrong with this student?" teachers can ask this question.
What might this student need, and how can I support them?