Trauma-Informed….of course!

Trauma-informed adult education is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on adult learners and seeks to create a safe and supportive learning environment. Here are the top five principles of trauma-informed adult education:

1. Safety: Create a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes physical and emotional safety. This includes establishing clear boundaries, providing a calm and welcoming physical (or online) space, and fostering positive relationships with learners.

2. Trustworthiness: Build trust with learners by being transparent, reliable, and consistent. This includes communicating clearly and honestly, following through on commitments, and providing a predictable and structured learning environment.

3. Choice: Empower learners by providing choices and options in their learning experience. This includes offering a variety of learning activities and modalities, allowing learners to set their own goals, and providing opportunities for self-reflection and self-assessment.

4. Collaboration: Foster a collaborative learning environment that promotes social connection and support. This includes encouraging learners to work together, providing opportunities for peer feedback and support, and creating a sense of community within the classroom.

5. Empowerment: Empower learners by recognizing their strengths and building on their existing knowledge and skills. This includes providing positive feedback and recognition, encouraging learners to take ownership of their learning, and promoting a growth mindset.

By implementing these principles, adult educators can create a trauma-informed learning environment that supports the needs of all learners, including those who have experienced trauma.