Beginning to talk about something that has the word “Trauma”, it becomes absolutely necessary to know what the word means! Well, trauma is a deep-rooted feeling of anxiety, helplessness, fear and distress that diminishes the capability to cope with any of those feelings. It can be caused by different stimuli like separation, loss, bullying, humiliation, domestic violence, cultural differences, discrimination or poverty and so on. It can also get transferred from adults having problems to cope with their stress and failing to manage with their own behaviour.
Continuous stress that may seem to tolerable and manageable, slowly transforms into a trauma that not only hinders the child’s physical and mental development. It has strong adverse effects on the child’s mental health and hence, social-emotional development. The child grows toxic chemicals in the brain released by the stress hormones leading the child to failing in managing behaviour. 21st-century model of special education, sped child teaching course can help teachers to help these children by providing a safe mental space.
Children suffering from some kind of trauma usually walk in with an additional invisible backpack full with emotions they are unable to deal with. The backpack is heavy with mistrust and blocked vision mixed with the inability to cope with their level of stress and manage unacceptable behaviour.
Dr. Angela Duckworth in her book “Grit-The Power of Passion and Perseverance” pointed out that the key to outstanding success is not mere talent but a blend, of passion and endurance, that she calls “grit”. So, the question is how do these children learn about practicing grit? They do not learn it in any space known to us in the concrete form. They learn it through experiences! Many a times, life plays the role of an educator and teaches grit to them the hard way. However, all individuals are not born with the knowledge of coping mechanisms that work the best for them. So, they get heavier by the moment and show unexpected behavioural melt downs or shy in their own shells never coming out!
You must be now thinking if there is any way to help these children or anyone that you can go to who can eventually sway the magic wand and help you help them! It is you! The teacher who is informed of the trauma that the child is going through. You need to be informed of ways to reach out to not only these children but also their parents and families.
The next possible question is why would they even come forth to share their sufferings, anxieties, losses, stress and trauma? That is so private and I am not an expert, a psychologist or someone who reads the minds! I am just a teacher! 21st-century model of special education, special child teaching course would equip you with the necessary skills you need to touch those agonized lives and use your prowess in balming out the pain.
Be that one teacher who made the child forget what he/she is going through. Build that trust that the child can be himself/herself in your space. Be that happiness and light the child always wants to come back to. Be that comfort that the child is always looking for. Reach out to the family and lend your ears. Be so transparent that all the stakeholders in the child’s learning process can visualise the program or the procedure that you are planning for in the future for the child.
Now that you are informed about the trauma that this little boy or girl carries into your classroom, you would know when to hug them and when they would need their spaces with themselves. You can now plan ways to help them express their inner feelings and gradually help them overcome the adversities of faltered and toxic brain chemistry caused by trauma. With empathy, love, care, understanding, trust and all your learnt methods and approaches in informed teaching never forget to believe in them and raising your level of expectation from them. Afterall, we have set out to foster “grit” in them so that they learn to never give up no matter what!
Let us pledge this day to practice trauma-informed teaching in our inclusive classrooms to help all our children in need of special services. 21st-century model of special education, special child teaching course can steer your thirst to know all the different ways to reach out to all those in trauma, prepare Individualised Education Programs if required, impart education and make learning a great experience for all those who walk into your classroom! To top it all, evolve as an educator who made them feel wanted, needed, loved and cared for and believed in them when they almost gave up on themselves!
