Strategies for Interacting with Children who Have Experienced Trauma

In part two of our heart-to-heart conversation about understanding trauma in the classroom, Megin Ruston illuminates the path to empowering educators to step into their roles as unwavering advocates for their young charges. We discuss understanding the profound impact of trauma on a child's brain and behavior and equipping oneself with the tools to manage those critical dysregulated moments. 

By embracing self-care and emotional regulation, teachers can become the bedrock upon which children can rebuild their sense of safety and learn to express and regulate their own emotions. From the practicality of visual aids for emotional communication to the subtleties of co-regulation, this conversation is a treasure trove of insights.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:03:00] Strategies that teachers can use to help meet children’s regulation needs as well as their own
• [00:07:43] Supportive interactions educators can have with children
• [00:12:45] Where to go after understanding what the child is going through
• [00:18:05] What to do once both teacher and child are calm 
• [00:21:45] The ripple effect of individualizing your response to one child
• [00:24:35] The importance of establishing a trusting relationship
• [00:25:11] Big takeaways from this conversation
• [00:26:53] The importance of supports for teachers
• [00:27:44] The message of encouragement Megin would share with educators

Resources

Kate Cline  

Megin Ruston