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Helping the Traumatized Child in the Classroom

by Lenore Rubin and Carrol Ann Leonard
September/October 2014
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Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/helping-the-traumatized-child--in-the-classroom/5021956/

VIGNETTE:
John, a young preschool teacher was excited to begin his first job in a full-day pre-kindergarten early childhood program serving families who live in a large diverse metropolitan area. He carefully arranged his classroom environment, ­choosing a broad array of books, materials, and equipment for preschool-aged children. John made extensive plans to welcome all the children and their families. He wanted his classroom to symbolize a community where everyone was important and where everyone takes responsibility for each other.

After the first month, John was very frustrated with the way things were going. Some of the children had difficulty following routines, could not manage transitions, and sometimes responded to peers with aggression. One child was withdrawn and often cried over small disappointments while another seemed ‘spacey’ and appeared disengaged. John wondered what he could do to help the children and maintain a sense of order in the classroom. He made changes to the learning environment and class schedule and observed for another month. Nothing seemed to improve the social-emotional climate in the classroom. John asked his more experienced colleagues for help. He met with the family support worker at the preschool and learned that many of the children and families had lived ...

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