Difficult Conversations

Ideas

Idea #11: Discussing Traumatic Topics

“When it comes to student trauma, there is much that is beyond educators’ power, but there is also a great deal they can do to build a supportive and sensitive environment where students feel safe, comfortable, take risks, learn, and even heal.”1

Learning Intention

All students walk into classrooms with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and those experiences impact their abilities to learn and participate. Specifically, students who have experienced trauma are “prone to difficulty in self-regulation, negative thinking, being on high alert, difficulty trusting adults, and inappropriate social interactions.”1 This may surface as shutting down or aggression in the classroom, so it’s crucial that educators act proactively to foster a safe space for all students. The goal is to create spaces where students who have been disadvantaged can have a socially just learning environment.2

Considerations for Discussing Traumatic Topics1

  • Be specific about relationship building.

    • Before facilitating a discussion, spend time getting to know students everyday and build strong mutual trust.

  • Promote predictability and consistency.

    • Set the tone for the discussion so students know what to expect.3

    • Provide an outline or direction for the discussion so students can anticipate what’s going to happen.

  • Expect unexpected responses.

    • Students with trauma histories may react and behave in unexpected ways, so prepare to put these reactions into context and not take them personally.

  • Employ thoughtful interactions.

    • Be intentional about the ways you communicate, verbally and nonverbally, with students. More specifically, avoid taking on a position of power.

  • Teach strategies to change the channel.

    • When students fixate on the negative, provide moments for students to take breaks and possibly work on another activity.

  • Give supportive feedback to reduce negative thinking.

    • Provide plenty of positive feedback for students as they work through their emotions.

Other Considerations for Creating Safe Spaces2

  • Establish regular classroom routines so students can rely on a dependable structure.

  • Take intentional steps to remove potential triggers from the classroom.

  • Embed opportunities into the routine for students to have more autonomy.

  • Plan lessons and activities for students to practice social skills and empathy.

References

  1. Minahan, J. (2019). Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies. Educational Leadership, 77(2), 30–36.
  2. Crosby, S. D., Howell , P., & Thomas, S. (2018). Social justice education through trauma-informed teaching. Middle School Journal, 49(4), 15–23.
  3. Akinrinade, B. (2022). Decentering and Empowering Discussions About Human Rights. Innovative Teaching Showcase. Published online by CIIA, Western Washington University.