Trauma-Informed Teaching in Your Elementary Classroom: Simple Strategies to Create Inclusive, Safe Spaces as the First Step to Learning

Research has proven that childhood trauma affects school engagement and success while at the same time recognizing that the majority of students have experienced it. This book offers simple strategies, based on evidence-based studies, that elementary educators can use to effectively recognize trauma, teach resilience, and support their students in being ready to learn. The book covers all the tenets of trauma-informed teaching, including understanding the effects of trauma, creating safety and predictability, fostering healthy attachments, and modeling resilience as part of social emotional learning, all of which are framed within cultural humility and competence. Designed for all teachers, professionals, and school administrators working with elementary students, this practical guide is key reading for creating a safe classroom and school environment that is inclusive of all learners and conducive for learning.

Table of Contents:
Meet the Authors Introduction Part 1- The Why Chapter 1 – Understanding Trauma The Human Nervous System Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems Memories: Regular and Traumatic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn (FFFFs) Fight/Flight Freeze Fawn Chronic Stress and Changes to the Brain Epigenetics Brain Connections Exposure to Stress Hormones War Answers to Brain Breaks References Chapter 2 – Intergenerational Trauma Back to ACEs Prenatal Epigenetics FASD Cigarettes Maternal Nutrition Postnatal Attachment Theory Historic Trauma Reserves Residential Schools First Nations and the Courts Sixties Scoop Inuit Housing Today Slavery and Its Legacy in the USA Answers to Brain Breaks References Part 2 – The How Chapter 3 – Culture Biases Unconscious Bias Resource Bias Deficit Thinking Ethnocentricism Trust Cultural Humility and Cultural Competence Case Study: Forest Glen School (K-4) Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Culturally Responsive Teaching Resources Answers to Brain Breaks References Chapter 4 – Safety and Predictability Attachment Mirror Neurons Identifying and Removing Triggers Answers to Brain Breaks References Chapter 5 – Cognitive-Behavioral Theory What is Cognitive Behavior Theory? How Does CBT Work? CBT: Body➨Brain Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources for You and Your Students Flow Reflective Listening Reflective Feeling CBT: Brain➨Body Recognizing and Challenging Thoughts Social Emotional Learning (SEL) For Your K-3 Students Social Emotional Learning (SEL) For Your Grade 4-6 Students CBT for Teachers Brain Break Answers Resources References Conclusion

About the Author :
Lori Brown, Psy.D. has 28 years of experience working as a teacher, registrar, counselor, administrator, and consultant in the public school system. Alison Bartlett, B.Ed. has worked in the Anglophone East School District since 1989 as a classroom teacher and had a Special Position of Responsibility (SPR) for her school’s Positive Learning Environment.

Review :
Lori Brown and Alison Bartlett have created a useable text that provides practical trauma-informed strategies that support both students and teachers in the creation of a trauma-informed school. The authors have insightfully included a whole chapter not just on cultural competencies but also on cultural humility. In an ever changing world, we must all be aware of our own cultural biases. This is a must read for all teachers. -Coreen Collins, Manager Student Support, Department of Education, Government of Nunavut As our youngest students experience trauma around them, we as the adults who care for them and educate them, must be better prepared to understand the natural responses of children to the trauma in their lives. Lori Brown, Psy.D is an authority on this topic and has written a very readable, research informed, guide to the steps a school community can take to ensure that the entire school community is prepared to support and work with all students. -Rebecca Wardlow, EdD- Dean, College of Education, United States University This book addresses important issues in education today, such as how trauma happens to individuals and cultures, as well as how to address it in your classrooms. Written for teachers by teachers, it is a thoroughly researched and user-friendly resource for education in 21st century. Well done! -Armand Doucet C.M.