The best time to teach students how to cope with trauma? When there isn’t any
“Emergency responses such as trauma-informed instruction have their place, but those efforts should work in concert with focused, intentional SEL implementations. As all parents and educators know, children are born inquisitive, optimistic and naturally resilient. Parents and educators have the opportunity and responsibility to encourage students to set and conquer their wildest goals, and to teach them that their recipe for success is making responsible decisions, managing themselves and their mindsets, and embracing persistence in the face of setbacks. When trauma occurs, it is absolutely our responsibility to respond with swift and meaningful support. But we’ll be on a faster road to recovery if the foundation of social-emotional learning has already been laid.”