Why Kids in Crisis (Trauma) are not in a Place to Learn

Trauma kids live in the moment - we must be available to be there with them.

As educators and support staff we often struggle with our challenging kids as their

progressions seems so slow or they move forward only to regress.

I like to ask people to step outside for a moment and put themselves in a similar situation which would affect them on the same level and ask the question:

How would I cope effectively?

If you were facing a similar crisis, would you be able to come to work or would take a leave? If you came to work would you do your job effectively? Would you be able to focus on work or would the problem waiting for you get in the way?

The difference with children is that they do not have a choice. They have to come to school despite the chaos of there lives. Their options are limited and sometimes, the most we can do, is show them the way and know that it might not be in that moment or with us that they find it.

source:http://childhoodtrauma.org.au/2017/march/back-to-school

How Trauma Affects Our Students Learning:

-The ability to acquire language and communication skills

-Understand cause and effect - A to B to C

-View from another person's perspective