Top 5 Must-Read Trauma Informed Teaching Books for Educators
As an educator, it is important to understand the impact of trauma on your students and how to create a safe and supportive learning environment. Trauma informed teaching is an approach that has gained popularity in recent years, emphasizing awareness of trauma and its effects, as well as creating an environment that fosters healing and growth. With that in mind, here are the top 5 must-read trauma informed teaching books for educators.
1. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score is a seminal work in the field of trauma research. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is a psychiatrist and researcher who has spent decades studying trauma and its effects on the body and brain. In this book, he shares insights from his research and clinical experience, providing a deep understanding of the impact of trauma and how it can be addressed through various modalities, including body-based therapies and mindfulness practices.
2. The Deepest Well by Nadine Burke Harris
In The Deepest Well, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a pediatrician and founder of the Center for Youth Wellness, shares her own journey of discovering the impact of childhood trauma on health outcomes later in life. She also provides practical advice for educators on how to identify and address trauma in their students, including tools for self-care and stress management.
3. Fostering Resilient Learners by Kristin Souers and Pete Hall
Fostering Resilient Learners is a practical guide for educators seeking to create a trauma informed classroom. The authors, Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, draw on their experience working with students impacted by trauma to provide concrete strategies for creating a safe and supportive learning environment. They emphasize the importance of building relationships with students, providing choice and autonomy, and using mindfulness practices to regulate emotions.
4. The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom by Patricia A. Jennings
The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom is another practical guide for educators, providing actionable steps for creating a trauma informed classroom. Author Patricia Jennings draws on her experience as a teacher and researcher to provide classroom-based strategies for supporting students impacted by trauma, including mindfulness practices, movement activities, and social-emotional learning activities.
5. Breathe, Mama, Breathe by Shonda Moralis
While not specifically focused on trauma informed teaching, Breathe, Mama, Breathe is a helpful resource for educators looking to manage their own stress and build resilience. Author Shonda Moralis provides practical advice for practicing mindfulness in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of self-care and stress management for educators and caregivers.
In conclusion, trauma informed teaching is an approach that can greatly benefit both teachers and students. The books listed above provide a valuable starting point for educators looking to deepen their understanding of trauma and its effects, as well as practical strategies for creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
