Daily news in the U. S. spotlights increasing harm and trauma. Youth, families, and educators are all feeling its effects, whether it’s safe to be fully open about it at school—or not. You can tell the truth about this tension. Plus, download a trauma-sensitive activity for all ages that can nourish your community and support growth during overwhelming times.
When Trauma's Happening Now
I’ve long struggled with the label posttraumatic stress because there’s a whole lot of harm that isn’t over yet. Truth is… trauma doesn’t have to be over for its effects to surface. On the other hand, current trauma can be causing great harm even if it doesn’t seem like it. Sometimes its signs and symptoms won’t show up until later. Holding space for both of these possibilities is important—right now trauma can cause noticeable stress reactions and/or its effects may be delayed. Add to it that it’s not safe to be open about at least some injustices at school for youth or adults in the current political climate, and it makes these realities even trickier to understand and address.
If you’re wondering about answers to questions like the ones listed below, you’re not alone.
- How can educators teach students about the effects of racial trauma or support youth who are experiencing it at school when the topic itself may be deemed divisive and increasingly off limits?
- What does it mean to show up for learners who fear being harmed as a result of their immigration status? They understandably may not feel safe being open about their feelings or needs, and we don’t want to do anything that might cause them to be targeted more.
- We see bullying/harassment policies erasing protections for groups of vulnerable youth like those who are LGBTQIA+. Now what?
- What can we do to address sexual violence in our communities when national leaders escape accountability for their abusive actions?
We’ve always had learners and educators at school who weren’t feeling safe—whether we’re conscious of it or not. In light of this, I have advice for you and an activity you can modify for your group.
I've long struggled with the label posttraumatic stress because there's a whole lot of harm that isn't over yet.
Tell the Truth
What can we do when our learning environments and communities aren’t yet safe?
Tell the truth about it.
Be as specific as you can be. What’s too much, not enough, and just right ? It depends on your country, state, community, and school, but it will also fluctuate in relation to your own capacity and who you are communicating with.
Here’s one idea and example:
Try stating, “Harm happens at school and outside of school” (vague truth). “One of those harms is that our changed bullying policy decreases protections for _____” (more specific). Because of that… “I’m concerned school may be less safe for our _____ learners (and educators).
"What can we do when our learning environments aren't yet safe? Tell the truth about it."
More Trauma-Sensitive Tips
Here are my four tips to help you tell the truth.
- Try not to go it alone and know you can’t do it all. Concerned about a particular harm? Focus there and connect with others in your community who share your passion. Also reach out to professional organizations and leaders beyond your district or board. Help kids team up too!
- Telling the truth matters even if it doesn’t change how things are right now. Often folks say, “Telling the truth isn’t doing any good,” but you don’t know that. Helping another human feel seen, heard, believed, and understood matters even when it’s painful that we can’t help stop their trauma. People need to hear you acknowledge these harms at school even if it’s not safe for them to respond—even better when you’re also acting for change.
- Trust that kids are doing the best they can to be and feel safer. When a child or teen is shut down and not communicating about why, tell yourself there’s a reason for it —because there is. That doesn’t mean the reason is always trauma, but remembering that it could be helps. Observing more amped energy and pushback instead? There’s a reason for that and everything else, too. We can encourage accountability while we hold space for the things we don’t know or understand about someone’s experiences. We can also trust that kids are doing what they need to do, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.
- Remember that trauma is political. This means trauma-sensitive practice must be too.
Let's be more concerned about children being harmed than adults being uncomfortable.
Classroom or School Mural
Telling the truth can support your learners, and here’s a classroom or schoolwide activity that can help you help kids too.
With learners of all ages, I encourage you to read and discuss the book The Curious Garden by Peter Brown (2009). Then make a collective garden mural with paper trees, plants, birds, insects, other wildlife, and more. Every person can be invited to make one piece for the garden that interests them. On it, they can write something that helps them when things in hard times. Whether it’s a friend who asks if they’re okay, an educator who gives an encouraging word, or wearing your favorite socks when nothing else seems to be going well, visible reminders about what can help are meaningful. It signals to everyone in your learning community that our experiences may be different, and we all have rough days. Even when we can’t fix it or make it better right away, there are actions that bring support. Often, it’s little things that get us through hard things in life.
Download my lesson plan—it has everything you need to get started with this project!
“Often, it’s little things that get us through hard things in life.”
Your Next Steps...
1. Down load my lesson plan for making a mural to grow together.
2. Work together to create your mural.
3. Then tag me in a photo of your garden mural on social media—I can’t wait to see what you create with your group!
Take good care,
References
Brown, P. (2009). The curious garden. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Readers