Impacts of Trauma on Learning
Many people understand that trauma can have a significant impact on a child’s view of life, their ability to trust others, or how safe they feel. But one area of life that many people seem to forget is that trauma can affect a child’s ability to learn in the classroom. Trauma has an impact on a child’s brain development, therefore the ability for a child to be successful in the classroom is already at a disadvantage compared to their peers.
Trauma Impacts
Concentration
Memory
Organizational Skills
Difficulty Forming Attachments
(including teachers and peers)
Behavioral Issues
Difficulty Setting Boundaries
Perfectionism
Due to some of these negative impacts that trauma has, many times you will find that the children with trauma history are labeled as the “bad kid”. The challenging part is that trauma can also look like the “perfect” child who says yes to everything and is considered a perfectionist.
“Recent psychological research has shown that childhood trauma from exposure to family violence can diminish concentration, memory, and the organizational and language abilities that children need to function well in school. For some children, this can lead to inappropriate behavior and learning problems in the classroom, the home, and the community. For other children, the manifestations of trauma include perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and self-destructive, or even suicidal, behavior. Studies show that abused children have more severe academic problems than comparison children.” (Massachusetts Advocates for Children. 2005, p, 4)
What are some steps you can take to help a child who has experienced trauma?
(Both as a parent and a teacher)
Give the child choices in order to increase their feeling of control.
Set clear limits for inappropriate behavior and develop logical instead of punitive consequences.
Remember that even the most disruptive behaviors can be fueled by anxiety and trauma related experiences.
Increase level of support and encouragement.
Provide a safe space for the child to talk about their trauma if they choose to do so.
Warn the child if you will be doing something out of the ordinary like turning off the lights or making a loud noise.
If you know that your child has experienced trauma and it is impacting their ability to be successful in the classroom, there is something you can do! Talk with your child’s school about developing a 504 plan. With a 504 plan it allows for you to make accommodations at school to set your child up for success. These accommodations include but are not limited to:
Extended due dates
Shortened assignments
Taking tests in smaller classrooms
Permission to take breaks if feeling overwhelmed
Trauma has a serious impact on the development of children, and it is our responsibility to help them. If your child has experienced trauma or you are an educator who has noticed some different behavior with students, please be patient and understanding. These kids need our support more than anything.
Resources
The National Child Trauma Stress Network, Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (2008), https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u57/2013/child-trauma-toolkit.pdf
Massachusetts Advocates for Children, (2005), Helping traumatized children learn: Supportive school environment for children traumatized by family violence: A report and policy agenda. Retrieved January 5, 2009