Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools: An Evidence-Based Guide<\/a>, researchers from\u00a0Monash University, University of Western Australia and the University of Louisville, argue that traditional approaches to discipline and behaviour management are often ill-suited to the reality many students face today.<\/p>\nThe authors call for a shift towards trauma-informed schooling, an approach that prioritises safety, connection and emotional regulation alongside academic learning.<\/p>\n
Co-author Associate Professor Emily Berger from the School of Educational Psychology & Counselling at\u00a0Monash University said trauma doesn\u2019t stay at the school gate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen children experience fear, loss or chronic stress, it directly affects how their brains process information, manage emotions and respond to authority. If schools don\u2019t understand that, they can unintentionally make things worse,\u201d Associate Professor Berger said.<\/p>\n
The book highlights how exposure to trauma can impair memory, attention and self-control, often leading to behaviours that are misinterpreted as defiance or disengagement.<\/p>\n
Trauma-informed models in schools and early learning settings have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression among children and adolescents. They can also reduce stress and feelings of helplessness in educators when responding to trauma exposed students.<\/p>\n
Professor Karen Martin from the School of Health and Clinical Sciences at The University of Western Australia said challenging behaviour exhibited in children can often be a distress signal, not a discipline issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA trauma-informed approach helps educators ask different questions. Rather than \u2018What\u2019s wrong with this child?\u2019 instead \u2018What has this child been through, and how can we support them to feel safe enough to learn?\u2019\u201d, co-author Professor Martin said.<\/p>\n
According to the authors, trauma-informed practice benefits not only students, but also teachers, by reducing classroom conflict and emotional exhaustion.<\/p>\n
The book outlines practical, evidence-based strategies schools can adopt immediately, including creating predictable routines, strengthening relationships, redesigning disciplinary policies and supporting teacher\u00a0wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor\u00a0Shantel D. Crosby, from the University of Louisville said the book emphasises a whole-school change, rather than placing the burden solely on individual teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSchools are one of the most consistent and stable environments in a child\u2019s life. When trauma-informed practice is embedded properly, schools can become powerful protective spaces, especially when other support systems are overwhelmed,\u201d co-author Associate Professor Crosby said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrauma-informed education is essential if we want safer classrooms, better learning outcomes, and a system that doesn\u2019t leave our most vulnerable children behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Australia continues to confront the social and emotional consequences of trauma, particularly in the wake of recent natural disasters, geopolitical shocks and insecurity, the authors argue that education policy must move beyond academic outcomes alone and recognise\u00a0wellbeing as foundational to learning.<\/p>\n
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the news cycle shows, Australia and the world are confronting deeply distressing events, with experts warning that schools are increasingly carrying the emotional fallout. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/40864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seasiaonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}