How do you talk to students about traumatic events?

Tip 1: Be alert to students’ different reactions to the same event

Students each deal with traumatic events in their own way. One student reads about it, while another watches the Youth News. Some students experience the event up close because they have family in a war zone or at the site of a natural disaster. Others may have personally experienced war, violence, or a natural disaster and have therefore been forced to move. There are also children whose families do not, or hardly ever, talk about traumatic events at home.

Tip 2: Pay extra attention to students who are directly involved

Do you have students who are directly involved in the traumatic event? Talk to them and their parents. Ask how they are doing, how they are experiencing this time, and whether there is anything you can do for them. Perhaps the student would like to talk about it in class, or perhaps not. Do children find it difficult to talk about it? You could, for example, ask them to make a drawing or write something.

Tip 3: Provide space to share different experiences and opinions

Do you notice that students are treating one another differently in class, or that friendships are changing because they think differently about the situation? Then be sure to address this and provide space for sharing different opinions. Have students put their thoughts into words, listen to one another, ask each other questions, and respond to one another. Agree together on how you want to handle this: how to deal with different opinions and respond to one another respectfully. In any case, ensure that students can support one another. Let them express what they need and what they can offer the other person.

In this way, students also gain experience in dealing with a pluralistic society such as the Netherlands. This is a society in which different groups of people live together, with different religions, customs, norms, and values.

The Anne Frank House has tips and teaching materials on dealing with prejudice. The School & Safety Foundation also offers tips for talking to students about sensitive social issues, both in the classroom and with the team and the entire school. It is important that everyone feels safe and heard in the process.

Tip 4: Acknowledge students’ feelings and reassure them

Traumatic events can be frightening for students. They see and hear the fear and concern of adults. As a result, children may feel uncertain and unsafe. For children, school is precisely an environment where they can be reassured and feel a sense of control over what is happening. This is even more important for children who already feel unsafe in their living situation. The additional unrest can be especially frightening for them. Remain calm, acknowledge their feelings, and reassure students. You can read about what else you can do at the Academy for Talking with Children.

Tip 5: Provide students with appropriate information

Inform students about the situation. The extent and manner depend on their age. Address the questions students themselves have—in terms of both language and the level of detail in your answers. Speak from their perspective and experience of the world.

Would you like more tips about your role, how to guide a discussion effectively, or more background information?

For information about natural disasters, you can find teaching materials from the Red Cross.

For information about terrorism, you can find tips at Ter-info.nl.

For information about the war in Ukraine, Utrecht University has a lesson plan.

Tip 6: Make sure there are sufficient distractions

You create a good balance by giving yourself and the class some extra moments of calm and positive experiences. For example, think of extra opportunities for physical activity, free play, and creative assignments. This brings distraction and energy into the day—for both you and your students.

Tip 7: Discuss with the team how to deal with the traumatic event

How can you work together to ensure that traumatic events such as a natural disaster or a war situation are discussed safely at school? Talk about this with your team. For example, consider the following:

• How and at what point do you discuss the traumatic event with the group or class?
• How do you involve parents, and what do you expect from them?
• Which words do you choose?
• In which subjects do you address it, and when do you not?
• How are students informed at school, and to whom and when can they turn with questions?
• Agree together on what information is appropriate for your students.
• Would it be useful to organize a memorial or meeting space at school where students can express their thoughts and feelings?

Reaching agreement as a team and communicating clearly about it is helpful for students, parents, and yourself. Parents can then align with this approach at home as well.

All children and young people have the right to education. Therefore, think together about how you can and will provide education to children and young people who have fled their home country.

You can read tips for educating refugees at What works at school?

Tip 8: Take good care of yourself as a teacher

Finally, it is important to keep a close eye on yourself when traumatic events occur. Therefore, discuss with your team what the event brings up for you. What are your doubts, considerations, and thoughts? Are you following the news closely? Are you able to have the conversations with students, pupils, and parents, or do you need support from colleagues or other professionals? If necessary, request support from the community team or the youth work service. They can support families and are also active in the local community.