DOUBLE TAP Trauma-Informed Education / Teaching Methods TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET 75 More than empowering and healing classroom activities Children living with uncertainty and insecurity often have difficulty focusing on learning. They might demonstrate disrespectful or defiant behaviors, act out, or act with aggression. As an educator, you may provide the only stability in their otherwise turbulent world. Making It Better explains trauma-informed education, an approach that recognizes the impact of traumatic stress on children and its effect on the growing brain, and applies the latest neurological research to teaching methods, disciplinary policies, and interactions to support grieving children. This book responds to the learning and behavioral needs of children who have experienced traumatic events or toxic stress—such as natural disasters, community violence, or abuse or neglect within the child’s familial relations—and includes a collection of activities and strategies to help children heal and feel empowered. Distressed children need absolute emotional security and an opportunity to engage in healing activities. With your help, children can begin to build resiliency and find renewed hope for the future. “Making It Better supports the tremendous need to help students living in today’s often traumatic world with overall social and academic achievement through the use of healing activities. Hands- on activities are provided that can be implemented by any school professional to assist students with focus, learning, and regulation.” —Caelan Kuban, PsyD, LMSW, CTC-S, director of The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, Starr Global Learning Network, and coauthor of Working with Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents Barbara Oehlberg, MA, is an education and child trauma consultant who has presented for many organizations throughout the country. With a career that has spanned many levels, Barbara has spent more than 30 years making a positive impact on children’s lives. ISBN 978-1-60554-160-0 COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL $19.95