Trauma-Sensitive Practices for a Positive, Thriving Classroom

Presented by Rachel Wagner, MSW, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, National Trainer, Devereux Center for Resilient Children
Sponsored by Kaplan Early Learning

Watch the Recording

If you view the recording and would like a CE certificate, join the Classroom Management for Early Learning community and go to the edWebinar Archives folder to take the CE quiz. 

Challenging behaviors come from old traumas, neurological limitations, and the appropriate urge to survive. Based on the most recent research, approximately 26% of children in America experience trauma before the age of four (Statman-Weil). All children, including children who have experienced trauma, benefit from classrooms with strong social and emotional strategies in place. In every early childhood setting, there is likely to be one or more children who have experienced trauma, and the teacher will not necessarily know who these children are, or of the details of the trauma they have endured.

The goal of this edWebinar is to raise the awareness of participants around what trauma is and what the impact of trauma looks like in young children. Learn from Rachel Wagner, MSW, Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and National Trainer for the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, about specific trauma-sensitive practices and gain an understanding about how these practices support children’s healthy social and emotional development. The good news for teachers is that these practices are appropriate for every single child in the group and, when implemented with consistency, result in a more peaceful, collaborative, and positive classroom where all children can not only survive, but thrive.

Pre-K teachers and other professionals supporting young children will benefit from watching this recorded session.

About the Presenter

Rachel Wagner received her bachelor’s degree in clinical sociology from Ithaca College and received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Albany. Rachel is a lead national trainer and early childhood mental health specialist for the Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC). She is the author of FLIP IT! Transforming Challenging Behavior and co-author of Your Journey Together: Building the Resilience of Children and Families. Rachel travels the country speaking to groups on topics related to social-emotional health and resilience. She also provides technical assistance and reflective supervision. Rachel began her career as a preschool teacher and then worked as a teacher and counselor at a therapeutic preschool. She also served as an early childhood mental health coordinator and consultant for several Head Start programs. Later, Rachel began one of New York’s first early childhood mental health consultation services. She is a passionate speaker, a dedicated listener and an advocate for children who communicate in unique ways. She currently resides in the Syracuse, NY area with her family.

If you view the recording and would like a CE certificate, join the Classroom Management for Early Learning community and go to the edWebinar Archives folder to take the CE quiz. As a member of the community, you’ll be able to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view past edWebinars to earn CE certificates.

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 Kaplan Early Learning Company is a leading international provider of products and services that enhance children’s learning.