Brain-Changing Strategies to Trauma-Proof Our Schools: A Heart-Centered Movement for Wiring Well-Being

by Maggie Kline, Peter A. Levine Ph.D. (Foreword by)

Overview

Stop trauma in its tracks, address disruptive behaviors, and create a safe and nurturing school environment with a neuroscience-based approach in your classroom.

More than 32 million children in the US suffer from trauma symptoms. Some have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), like neglect, abuse, violence, and loss, or have experienced distress from medical trauma and social injustice. Toxic traumatic stress shapes the structure and function of both brain and body, which can lead to anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, shutting down, and acting out—emotions and behaviors that hinder learning and create classroom chaos.

Maggie Kline, a family therapist, trauma specialist, school psychologist, and former teacher, gives you whole-brain, heart-centered tools to identify and reverse trauma-driven behaviors so students feel supported and safe. Her unique roadmap will empower you to facilitate positive school-wide outcomes as you learn:

How trauma alters kids' brains causing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges

Evidence-based somatic, relational, and mindfulness interventions to rewire reactivity

How to manage Pre-K-12 classrooms to promote empathy, cooperation, and belonging

Social equity practices so kids from all backgrounds feel safe, valued, and joyful

Concrete steps to restore resilience following natural and man-made catastrophes

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623173265
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	11/03/2020
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	319,579
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

MAGGIE KLINE is a retired school counselor and school psychologist, who worked as marriage, family, and child therapist in private practice for over thirty-five years. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Long Beach USD, one of the most ethnically diverse school districts in the United States. Maggie trained with Dr. Peter A.Levine, creator of Somatic Experiencing (SE), a physiologically-based, psycho-biological trauma prevention and treatment method to help reverse the effects of toxic stress in children and adults. For more than twenty years, she has been a senior international faculty member at the SE Trauma Institute (www.traumahealing.org). She is the coauthor with Peter Levine of "It Won't Hurt Forever," Trauma through a Child's Eyes, and Trauma Proofing Your Kids. She is also the creator of Conscious Connections PlayShops, which she teaches on five continents to professionals who help youth, parents, and schools. This work includes relational repair for students with complex PTSD, in addition to reducing the effects of acute stress reactions from ordinary and extraordinary life challenges. Maggie is featured in fifteen video interviews produced and offered free to parents by www.kidsinthehouse.com to help children cope with trauma and grief.

Table of Contents

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Basics of Trauma and the Resilience Roadmap

Chapter 1 The Reality of Trauma's Scope 11

Chapter 2 A Model for Building Resilience, Part A 43

Chapter 3 A Model for Building Resilience, Part B 81

Chapter 4 The Power of Nurturance at School 117

Part 2 Heartfelt Attitudes and Tools for Transforming ADD/ADHD, Aggression and Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction Prevention

Chapter 5 Calming Hyperactivity and Focusing Attention 167

Chapter 6 Angry Birds 205

Chapter 7 Relaxing Anxious Kids 237

Chapter 8 Antidote to Addictions 271

Part 3 Special Topics: Disaster First Aid and Social Trauma

Chapter 9 When Tragedy Strikes 307

Chapter 10 …And Justice for All 337

Appendices

Appendix A Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire: Finding Your ACEs Score 363

Appendix B It's About T.I.M.E. (Trauma-Informed Movement in Education) 365

Appendix C More Physical Games for Practicing Interoceptive Awareness and Autonomic Nervous System Regulation 369

Appendix D Research Summary from Lincoln Alternative High School, Walla Walla, Washington 2009-2013 373

Appendix E Research Studies on the Belgau Learning Breakthrough Program 377

Notes 379

Bibliography 397

Index 411

About the Author 423

Editorial Reviews

"To educate our children we must educate their hearts as well as their minds. This important, passionate, and practical book shows us powerful and critical tools for healing trauma and creating an education of emotional well-being and empowerment."
—JACK KORNFIELD PHD, author of A Path with Heart

"...this book is recommended for teachers and all those interested in helping individuals experiencing and healing from traumatic events."
—NANCY H. FONTAINE, Library Journal 

"This amazing book is the answer to a prayer. With the understanding and methods so clearly laid out by a former teacher, we have a path to real healing—for all of us!"
—CHRISTINE KELLY, EdD, president of the Teachers Association of Long Beach USD

"There have been a number of excellent books and articles addressing the profound need for trauma-informed education in our schools. Maggie Kline’s is among the most comprehensive, passionate, scientific, heartful, and clear."
—PETER A. LEVINE, PhD, author of Waking the Tiger and Trauma and Memory

"The world is in the midst of a trauma-informed awakening. Educational policy change will eventually come. This book could be a driving force to that change."
—NATHAN SWARINGEN, LCSW, developer of “It’s About T.I.M.E.”

"The knowledge gained from Maggie Kline’s writings have deepened my self-awareness as an educator and helped me to create a safe space in which children thrive."
—NOVAE C. MOSER, teacher at The Discovery School of San Antonio

"Maggie Kline has structured an organized roadmap with sound research, practical tools, and strategies to guide educators through their journey to serve the students who need us the most. I highly recommend this book with its rich content."
—JIM SPORLEDER, principal featured in Paper Tigers and coauthor of The Trauma-Informed School

"This is a must-readfor all school staff!"
—KATIE HARTMANN, licensed psychologist and specialist in school psychology

"Maggie Kline’s PlayShops and her first book, Trauma through a Child’s Eyes, have truly inspired me and my work with children and teens. This new book goes way beyond the first in providing tools and strategies for trauma-proofing our schools, which is essential for the future of our children and our societies."
—CARSTEN MOELLER, teacher and therapist, Denmark

"The author, with her multicultural view, expertise, and compassionate commitment to reduce trauma symptoms, violence, and the marginalization of youth, provides us with a scope, depth, and integrity that is quite astonishing." 
—SÔNIA GOMES, PhD, Somatic Experiencing® International Faculty, Advanced Structural and Movement Rolfing Practitioner, and creator of SOMA—Embodiment Approach for Healing Trauma

"In a time where children are facing increasing levels of toxic stress and trauma, Maggie Kline prepares us for the important walk with children to heal and attain long-term positive outcomes."
—JESSICA TRUDEAU, MPH, executive director of Momentous Institute, Dallas, Texas

From the Publisher

10/09/2020

According to Kline, a family therapist, trauma specialist, school psychologist, and former teacher, trauma is everywhere and responsible for many behavioral problems in school and society. In her book, the author reviews the neuroscience of trauma, explains how to recognize trauma in school children, and provides suggestions for teachers to help children process their feelings through routine interactions, games, and group exercises. Referencing her training in Somatic Experiencing therapy, a newer, alternative therapy that includes well-known psychological principles such as attachment theory, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and mindfulness meditation, Kline details successful case histories that illustrate vivid and concrete examples of principles she employs. Although some of her practices are not quite mainstream, an extensive bibliography references peer-reviewed literature that supports her claims. However, more editorial oversight would have created an easier-to-read work; chapters often repeat information and even illustrations from earlier sections. Moreover, a passive voice dominates the writing and research citations contain distracting superlatives. VERDICT Despite its flaws, this book is recommended for teachers and all those interested in helping individuals experiencing and healing from traumatic events.—Nancy H. Fontaine, Norwich P.L., VT

Library Journal