Melissa Toner, Amy Guzman, Matt Salogar, Laurie Bedford, Marie LaChance Sandy Florey

What are some current factors that should be considered when teaching your students? Family violence is by far the most prevalent and devastating source of childhood trauma, affecting many more student’s than other sources such as accidents, disasters, and medical conditions. One out of every two children seen by mental health workers (NCTSN, 2003) suffer from trauma caused by psychological maltreatment, traumatic loss, dependence on an impaired caregiver, or domestic violence. One in three suffers from trauma caused by sexual maltreatment and neglect (Spinazzola, Blaustein, & van der Kolk, 2005).

Physiological effects Early exposure to violence organizes the brain in a manner that makes it hyper alert to danger. The hyperarousal that results is chronic and often unbearable. Anxiety can make it difficult for student’s to concentrate and limit their ability to regulate their behavior or control their emotions. Uncared for by others, these children live in a state of constant fear. Some resort to aggressive, acting-out behaviors, whereas others, overwhelmed by fear and loss, become unresponsive and disconnected from themselves and other people.

Understanding Attention and Memory and it’s importance in learning new information Paying attention is essential to both learning and behavior. Attending is a complex process that allows children to learn by recognizing and responding to what is important in their environment. Attention is selective by nature, focusing first on survival and safety needs. The ability to regulate attention is critical to successful participation in classroom activities and routines.

Impact on Memory Memory is an important factor in your student’s ability to succeed in school. Both emotion and language contribute to children’s effective use of memory. Memories of earlier trauma can interfere with the child’s ability to encode, process and store new information. The chronic stress that results from exposure to violence can further limit children’s ability to effectively use memory to learn. Memory is a complicated process that involves both conscious and unconscious information processing.

Impact on Receptive and Expressive Language skills Receptive Language involves the ability to understand both oral and written expression. Expressive Language is the ability to translate thoughts and experiences into words. Exposure to violence affects how children process and comprehend oral and written language. Trauma and family violence interfere with your student’s ability to use language to express themselves and mediate their behavior.

Design lessons that include movement and interactions with peers. Exercise helps “kick start” the attending system. Always pair oral directions with written ones. Never assume that children can act on what you have told them to do. Take time before introducing content to make an emotional connection with students. Incorporate stress management techniques into classroom activities and routines. These techniques might include deep breathing, stretching exercises, and positive affirmations.

More classroom strategies: Use 10 minutes at the beginning of class to air issues and resolve conflicts that children bring into class with them. This helps them focus more clearly on academic instruction during the rest of the class. End each class with a reflective activity that asks student’s to summarize what they have learned and how it can be applied somewhere in their lives (i.e. journals and class discussions). Provide student’s with frequent opportunities to give you feedback on how they feel they are doing and what you can do to make them feel more comfortable.

Teachers are “super models” for their student’s While language and cognitive development varies with each child, there is no question that positive daily reinforcement from you as a teacher can and will make all the difference. You, the teacher, can be the "super model" for improving your student’s academic, social, and emotional development. Taking the time to put strategies into action especially for those at risk can give make all the difference in their future success!!!

Citations Reaching and Teaching Chilren Who Hurt, Strategies for your classroom, Susan E. Craig Challenges Affecting Children Today: Educators Managing Adolescent Societal Issues, The Connecting Link