Supporting a Child Recovering from Trauma: A Practical Guide for Parents and Schools

Understanding trauma from the child’s perspective

Children often process distress and adversity differently from adults. What may appear as misbehaviour — withdrawal, tantrums, clinginess, or avoidance — can actually be signs that a child is overwhelmed, scared, or struggling to regulate.

The first step in supporting recovery is recognising that a child’s reactions are communication, not defiance. Observing patterns in behaviour, play, and daily routines provides critical insight into what the child is experiencing and how they feel safe.

The importance of predictable routines

Predictability creates safety. Children recovering from trauma need a clear structure for their days, whether at home or in school.

Practical strategies include:

• Maintaining consistent morning and bedtime routines

• Clearly communicating expectations and transitions

• Using visual schedules for younger children or those who benefit from concrete cues

• Preparing children in advance for changes in routine or environment

Even small, consistent actions reassure a child that the world is stable and that they can rely on adults for guidance.

Emotional regulation: helping a child feel steady

Trauma often leaves a child in a state of heightened arousal or shutdown. Helping them regulate emotions is central to recovery.

Approaches include:

• Modelling calm behaviour: children mirror the emotional state of the adults around them

• Breathing and grounding exercises: simple practices that can be incorporated at school or home

• Sensory supports: weighted blankets, fidget tools, music, or movement breaks.

• Encouraging expression: drawing, storytelling, or role-play allows children to release tension safely

Providing repeated opportunities for regulated experiences strengthens the child’s capacity to manage stress independently over time.

Recovering from Trauma

Play, creativity, and symbolic expression.

Play is a child’s natural language. Through creative expression, children can explore and process complicated feelings without being forced to talk about them directly.

Practical tips:

• Offer art materials, building blocks, or imaginative play scenarios.

• Let children lead play; avoid imposing adult narratives.

• Observe recurring themes: these can indicate what the child is trying to communicate.

• Celebrate small steps of mastery and courage in play scenarios.

When children feel empowered to express themselves symbolically, they develop a sense of control and competence that supports broader recovery.

Building a supportive network

Trauma recovery is rarely an individual effort. Collaboration between home, school, and therapeutic services creates a consistent environment of safety and understanding.

Guidelines for networks:

• Share observations across adults who interact with the child, while respecting privacy.

• Align strategies for regulation, routine, and creative expression across settings.

• Maintain open lines of communication between families and educational staff.

• Provide training for school staff on trauma-sensitive approaches.

A cohesive support network reassures the child that adults are reliable, attuned, and working together for their wellbeing.

When to seek specialist guidance

Some situations require professional support. Children should be referred to specialist counselling or therapeutic services if they show:

• Persistent distress, nightmares, or intrusive memories

• Extreme avoidance, withdrawal, or aggression

• Regression in development or academic performance

• Repeated physical complaints with no medical cause

Early, evidence-informed intervention improves long-term outcomes, helping children regain emotional stability, social confidence, and academic engagement.

Recovering from Trauma

Every day, steps parents and teachers can take

• Listen actively: notice behaviour, play, and body language as forms of communication

• Validate feelings: acknowledge emotions without immediately offering solutions.

• Avoid pushing trauma narratives too early; allow the child to lead disclosure..

• Maintain consistency: routines, boundaries, and predictable responses are healing.

• Use small, manageable tasks to foster competence and autonomy.

• Encourage supportive peer relationships: friendships help restore connection

Even small, intentional actions reinforce that the child is safe, valued, and understood.

Subtle strategies for school settings

Schools play a key role in recovery. Trauma-sensitive strategies include:

• Quiet corners or calm spaces for self-regulation

• Flexible deadlines or additional support for academic tasks

• Staff trained to recognise triggers and respond with empathy.

• Structured peer support programs

• Coordination with parents and therapists to ensure consistent messaging

When the school environment mirrors the safety and stability of home and therapy, children have the best chance of recovering and thriving.

Final thoughts

Recovery from childhood trauma is a gradual, relational process. Children heal best when adults offer consistency, attunement, and creative outlets for expression. By attending carefully to what children communicate — through words, play, behaviour, and body language — parents and schools can create the conditions for resilience, emotional regulation, and renewed confidence.

Even simple, everyday adjustments in routine, regulation strategies, and creative expression can profoundly impact a child’s sense of safety and value. When families, schools, and practitioners work together with sensitivity, children move from survival to growth — not only managing their trauma, but discovering joy, connection, and hope for the future.

Click Here - for more information and to explore how we can help