The researchers from Monash University, University of Western Australia and the University of Louisville, call for a shift towards trauma-informed schooling, an approach that prioritises safety, connection and emotional regulation alongside academic learning.
As Australia and the world confront deeply distressing events, the experts warn that schools are increasingly carrying the emotional fallout.
Children are coming to school carrying fear, grief and stress caused by events that shake their sense of safety and the effects are showing up through anxiety, withdrawal, aggression and disrupted learning.
These experiences play out daily in behaviour and engagement.
In the book titled, Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools: An Evidence-Based Guide the authors call for a shift towards trauma-informed schooling, an approach that prioritises safety, connection and emotional regulation alongside academic learning.
Co-author Associate Professor Emily Berger from the School of Educational Psychology & Counselling at Monash University said trauma’s affects are broad and at times difficult to identify and differentiate.
“When children experience fear, loss or chronic stress, it directly affects how their brains process information, manage emotions and respond to authority. If schools don’t understand that, they can unintentionally make things worse,” Berger says.
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.
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.
A trauma-informed approach, the authors say, helps educators ask different questions. Rather than ‘What’s wrong with this child?’ instead ‘What has this child been through, and how can we support them to feel safe enough to learn?’.
Co-author Professor Karen Martin, from the School of Health and Clinical Sciences at The University of Western Australia, says challenging behaviour exhibited in children can often be a distress signal, not a discipline issue.
“A trauma-informed approach helps educators ask different questions. Rather than ‘What’s wrong with this child?’ instead ‘What has this child been through, and how can we support them to feel safe enough to learn?’”, Martin says.
According to the authors, trauma-informed practice benefits not only students, but also teachers, by reducing classroom conflict and emotional exhaustion.
The book outlines practical, evidence-based strategies schools can adopt immediately, including creating predictable routines, strengthening relationships, redesigning disciplinary policies and supporting teacher wellbeing.
Associate Professor Shantel D. Crosby, another of the co-authors, from the University of Louisville, says the book emphasises a whole-school change, rather than placing the burden solely on individual teachers.
“Schools are one of the most consistent and stable environments in a child’s life.
“When trauma-informed practice is embedded properly, schools can become powerful protective spaces, especially when other support systems are overwhelmed,” Crosby says.
“Trauma-informed education is essential if we want safer classrooms, better learning outcomes, and a system that doesn’t leave our most vulnerable children behind.”
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 wellbeing as foundational to learning.
Understanding and Implementing Trauma-Informed Practice in Schools provides a practical, research-backed roadmap for how schools can better support students who have experienced trauma — including family violence, neglect, abuse, poverty, racism, displacement, and mental health challenges. It’s available to purchase online through Routledge.
