The crossroads between mindfulness and trauma-informed

Colleagues, 

I invite you to read the article Why Mindfulness and Trauma-informed Teaching Don't Always Go Together. Mindfulness is a trend taking hold in education.Teachers are using strategies to help create a calm environment where students are capable of learning. What happens when silence (used to create a calming environment) is actually a trigger for trauma? 

As I read this article, I have to admit feeling frustrated. What are we to believe? Should be be trauma-informed? Should we cultivate mindfulness? Where does a growth mindset fit in? In a world of big data, new research, and new ideas, where do we devote our time? And of course, our belief leads to action, so what does this potential confusion mean for our classroom? 

I'm very interested in your perspective. 

Sincerely, 
Kathy Tracey
@Kathy_Tracey

Comments

Friends, 
As I mentioned in the prior post, the world of data and research continually brings new ideas, or new perspectives on older ideas. So how do you make sense of all of this information? Recently, AIR shared a brief video on design thinking and vulnerable populations.  So, what is design thinking?  The 

The five phases of Design Thinking, according to d.school, are as follows:

  • Empathize – with your users
  • Define – your users’ needs, their problem, and your insights
  • Ideate – by challenging assumptions and creating ideas for innovative solutions
  • Prototype – to start creating solutions
  • Test – Solutions

Have you ever heard of design thinking? Is there room for it in adult education? And how does it fit with all the other current theories in adult education. 

Sincerely, 
Kathy Tracey