Understanding how childhood trauma affects learning is crucial for educators and parents. This article explores the science behind trauma, how cortisol affects the brain, ten types of trauma and their potential impact on learning, and how faith plays a role in emotional healing.

Childhood trauma can have a profound impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school. From difficulty with attention and memory to emotional regulation and social skills, the effects of trauma can be far-reaching. Understanding the science behind trauma and its impact on learning is crucial for educators and parents alike.

Types of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma refers to experiences that are emotionally or physically harmful or threatening to a child. A study called, “ACEs,” conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente, identified ten types of traumatic experiences that can occur during childhood. They include:

1. Physical abuse
2. Emotional abuse
3. Sexual abuse
4. Neglect
5. Witnessing domestic violence
6. Substance abuse in the home
7. Mental Illness
8. Parental Separation
9. Divorce, and
10. Having a Family Member involved in the Criminal Justice System

The ACEs study revealed a significant correlation between the number of ACEs a person experienced and negative health and social outcomes later in life. Individuals with four or more ACE’s were found to be at a significantly higher risk of participating in, or developing: chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, substance abuse problems, the inability to form healthy relationships, control their emotions, learn effectively, and engaging in risky behaviors.

What is the Link Between the Stress Hormone and Learning?

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress and is released by our adrenal glands. It helps the body prepare for a fight or flight response by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. However, chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can have negative effects on the brain. Cortisol can damage the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important for learning and memory. It can also interfere with the formation of new neural connections, which are necessary for learning and retrieving old information, and adapting to new situations. Over time, repeated exposure to high cortisol levels due to childhood trauma may create difficulty with attention, concentration, and memory, and may struggle to regulate their emotions and behavior in the classroom. Understanding the science behind childhood trauma can help educators and parents provide targeted support and interventions to help children overcome these challenges.

Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma

The effects of childhood trauma can extend well into adulthood. Emotionally, survivors of childhood trauma may experience mood disorders, depression, and anxiety. Self-esteem issues and negative self-image are also potential long term effects.

Cognitively, childhood trauma can impair executive functioning skills, such as decision-making, problem solving, and impulse control. These cognitive impairments can impact academic and professional achievements, limiting opportunities for success. In my book, Written Off, I tell how a fear of failure negatively affected a major academic decision during my college years. It resulted in a lost professional opportunity. Childhood trauma can impair a child’s self-perception and even cause them to develop negative core beliefs, such as believing they are a failure, must be perfect to be worthy, or that all people are untrustworthy. These negative core beliefs can promote isolation, perpetuate a cycle of fear, create distrust, adopt a pessimistic outlook on life or lead them to resign to the belief that they have no control over their lives. The impact can be tragic because it can hinder personal growth, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.

Supporting children who have experienced trauma requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses their emotional, behavioral, spiritual and academic needs. One important strategy is to create a safe and supportive environment in the classroom or home, where children feel comfortable expressing their emotions and seeking help when needed. It’s also important to provide opportunities for children to build positive relationships with adults and peers, as these relationships can help to buffer the effects of trauma. Additionally, educators and parents can work together to develop individualized plans that address the specific needs of each child, including academic accommodations and mental health support. Finally, ongoing communication and collaboration between educators, parents, and mental health professionals can help to ensure that children receive the support they need to succeed in school and in life.

The Importance of Trauma-Informed Education

Trauma-informed education is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on learning and behavior, and seeks to create a safe and supportive environment for all students. This approach involves understanding the signs and symptoms of trauma, and providing appropriate support and accommodations to help students succeed. With a world growing darker and more concerning, trauma-informed education also emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships with students, and creating a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. By adopting a trauma-informed approach, educators can help to mitigate the effects of trauma on learning and promote positive outcomes for all students.

The Spiritual Component – God is the “Turn-Around” God

Identifying and acknowledging childhood trauma is the first step towards healing and recovery. God’s Word talks about grief, pain, loss, and traumatic events. From Genesis to Revelation, we read about painful stories. But, Scripture also shows how God turns around such gut wrenching events into vehicles for good, transforming the person in the process. It may not seem like it, or feel like it, but God does meet us in our deepest times of need and sorrow. He knows what we went through. Embrace the truth that He knows the pain it caused, the losses endured due to childhood trauma and grief. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” And Deuteronomy 31:8 assures us that “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Often survivors will ask God why He allowed trauma, but instead of asking why, consider asking God to show you the ways that He was present. Expect Him to show you. You’ll be amazed at what He reveals, bringing a fresh perspective, truth, and breakthroughs that can lead to healing.

I can attest that God does bring healing of emotional wounds. I never saw a single Christian counselor, although I should have, and encourage anyone who’s suffered childhood trauma to do so, but because we were a military family and moved often, it just never happened. But what I did do was make the decision to understand the trauma and seek personal healing.

By embracing and growing in my faith and drawing close to the Lord I did find healing. It took much longer than it had to be, without counseling, but I stayed with it, and it did happen. Trust in James 4:8 because it contains a promise. “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you…”. I also listened to godly advice of Christian friends who had my best interest in mind, and learned from the experiences of biblical people like Joseph, Job, Esther, Rahab, David, and others. And I developed spiritual understanding and drew comfort from the psalms.

I encourage you to look at the ten types of traumatic experiences (the ACEs Study, above) and see if you are at a higher risk for negative health and social consequences. Identify the areas that need healing, then resolve to move forward, because, if you all Him to, God has much more for you then what the world offers.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

-Isaiah 40:31