The Importance of Building a Trauma-Sensitive Space inSchools



Schools play a significant role in imbibing values in children through their day-to-day lessons and activities. It is imperative for schools to be aware and informed on how to tackle various traumas a child can face in their early stages of life. Likewise, one must have a clear idea and knowledge about the term ‘trauma’. Trauma is not just a negative experience, but an impression in the mind of a person who feels trapped in it and has to bear the burden. Trauma is not limited to any age group or gender. In a world where issues like physical abuse, sexual abuse and mental health are prevalent, it’s high time we consider the different phenomenon of trauma a child can go through.

Recently, the teacher of a 6-year-old noticed significant changes in the child. During the counselling session, we got to know the mindset of the child. He was not willing to go to school and wanted to stay back at home, with his mother. While this need to stay back with a parent at home might seem like a normal tantrum or an innocent demand of a child of that check here age, these are the first few signs that indicate the child is going through an innate trauma. On check here being asked further, he revealed that he doesn’t get the required attention and time from his parents and often feels neglected. In order to overcome more info this negligence, the child wants to stay back and spend time with the parent. On addressing this issue, the parents assumed this behaviour had stemmed from an embarrassing incident that happened earlier.

Teachers can play a major role in healing the child from the trauma of feeling neglected. The first step would be to identify the change and understand that there is trauma which needs to be healed. The second step would be to conduct a counselling session where the child is allowed to speak his/her heart here out and is able to unburden himself/herself. These steps can only be possible if the child is in an observed environment. Observation is the key to any problem. Having said that, school is the second home to a child, where he/she spends the maximum amount of time. It is absolutely necessary to have a space which will address their issues or understand their traumas apart from their working parents. The establishment of a trauma-sensitive space in a school can be a major step towards the growth and development of a child, where the child is click here observed, understood, given a safe and warm environment to overcome the difficulties they can go through apart from studies. A space where issues like negligence, peer pressure, societal norms and others can be addressed, tackled and healed is an unalterable need of the hour.



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