Research suggests that approximately 25% of American children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. A child's reactions to trauma can interfere considerably with learning and/or behavior at school. Schools serve as a critical system of support for children who have experienced trauma. Administrators, teachers, and staff can help reduce the effects of trauma on children by recognizing trauma responses, accommodating and responding to traumatized students within the classroom, and referring children to outside professionals when necessary. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed tools and materials to help educators, school staff, and administrators understand and respond to the specific needs of traumatized children. In addition to the NCTSN resources highlighted below, School Personnel can learn more about creating trauma-informed schools in the Trauma-Informed Care section of this website.
Presents a tiered approach to creating a trauma-informed school environment that addresses the needs of all students, staff, administrators, and families who might be at risk for experiencing the symptoms of traumatic stress.
Describes how young children, school-age children, and adolescents react to traumatic events and offers suggestions on how parents and caregivers can help and support them.
Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.
Defines child traumatic stress. This fact sheet gives an overview of trauma, describes traumatic stress symptoms, and ways children may be impacted.
Helps school professionals understand how trauma and substance use can affect students’ behavior, learning, and well-being within school settings.
Highlights the intersection between bullying and trauma and offers ways adults can help them feel safe and supported.
Defines and answers commonly-asked questions about child sexual abuse. This fact sheet outlines myths and facts about child sexual abuse and provides tips to help protect children. Translated in 2025.
Offers practical tips for children and caregivers to stay safe online, recognize the risks of cyberbullying and AI misuse, and promote healthy, responsible digital habits.
Explores the complex relationship between bullying and trauma. Highlights how both targets and perpetrators can be affected by their environments and how these experiences shape emotional and behavioral responses.
Offers information regarding child sex trafficking to educational professionals.
Offers child-serving providers information about child neglect and trauma.
Helps organizations assess their current practices in the context of serving children and families who have experienced trauma. It is an important part of an organizational transformation process to create trauma-informed organizations.
Links
[1] https://nctsn.org/resources/creating-supporting-and-sustaining-trauma-informed-schools-system-framework
[2] https://nctsn.org/resources/age-related-reactions-traumatic-event
[3] https://nctsn.org/resources/child-trauma-toolkit-educators
[4] https://nctsn.org/resources/what-child-traumatic-stress
[5] https://nctsn.org/resources/substance-use-school-professionals
[6] https://nctsn.org/resources/nctsn-bullying-trauma
[7] https://nctsn.org/resources/child-sexual-abuse-fact-sheet-parents-teachers-and-other-caregivers-it
[8] https://nctsn.org/resources/nctsn-online-safety
[9] https://nctsn.org/resources/complexity-of-bullying
[10] https://nctsn.org/resources/child-sex-trafficking-a-fact-sheet-for-educational-professionals
[11] https://nctsn.org/resources/child-neglect-and-trauma-a-fact-sheet-for-providers
[12] https://nctsn.org/resources/nctsn-trauma-informed-organizational-assessment-course
[13] https://nctsn.org/print/901?page=1
[14] https://nctsn.org/print/901?page=2
[15] https://nctsn.org/print/901?page=3
[16] https://nctsn.org/print/901?page=4
[17] https://nctsn.org/print/901?page=5