De-Mystifying Trauma for Parents and the Learning Community
By Joyce Whitby
Our students’ first teachers in life are inarguably their parents. As educators, we have always known that parental involvement is directly related to student success. Because of the pandemic, many parents have a new perspective and appreciation for how their children learn best, or conversely, they have seen what doesn’t work as well. 
As we build the foundation for recovery from lost instructional time, we are also focusing on rebuilding students’ social emotional wellness. Sharing this information with parents is critical, especially as we approach the summer school break. Just sharing the knowledge about how trauma affects the way children learn, and the way their brain allows them to function in a social and academic environment, is extremely valuable.
Trauma affects the way children learn, and the way their brain allows them to function in a social and academic environment. As parents and educators, the most essential aspect of teaching and learning is helping students develop the learning brain and use less of the survival brain on a daily basis.
The power of Trauma Informed and Restorative teaching strategies really multiplies when all members of a learning community come together to learn about and institutionalize best practices to:
- Understand the different types of trauma
- Recognize what trauma looks like in learners
- Realize the differences between the “Learning Brain” vs the “Survival Brain”
- Teach students strategies to deal with trauma induced emotions and anxiety
FREE RESOURCES TO DOWNLOAD:
- DeMystifying Trauma: Use this handy infographic to share basic info and generate awareness with faculty, staff and parents working with students as we all pull together to support social emotional health during this recovery period. DOWNLOAD
- The Power of Language: Helpful reminders of how to choose words to encourage, support and build up students experiencing trauma. DOWNLOAD
REGISTER FOR FREE for our May 26, 2022 webinar De-Mystifying Trauma for Parents and the Learning Community https://www.brightenlearning.com/upcoming-webinars/
