Back to School & Trauma: How Foster Parents Can Ease the Transition for Youth in Care
The back-to-school season brings excitement and nerves for many families—but for youth in foster care, it often comes with deep emotional undercurrents. According to NAMI’s Trauma-Informed Insight training, transitions like starting school can trigger trauma responses, particularly for kids who have experienced instability, neglect, or loss. Foster parents, who play a crucial and valued role, are instrumental in helping children feel safe, supported, and empowered during this time.
Here are five trauma-informed tips to support your foster child as they return to the classroom:
1. Predictability Is Power
Children with trauma histories often struggle with change. As a foster parent, you can empower yourself and your child by helping to ease anxiety through early preparation. Tour the school, meet the teacher in advance, and practice routines like bus rides or lunch packing. Predictable routines create a sense of control and calm the stress response system, giving you a powerful tool in supporting your child.
2. Watch for Triggers in Disguise
New clothes, new teachers, and even back-to-school shopping can feel overwhelming for kids who’ve experienced trauma. Some may regress or act out as school starts—not from defiance, but from fear or dysregulation. Respond with curiosity, not punishment. A meltdown may be a stress signal, not misbehavior.
3. Partner with the School
Request a meeting with your child’s teacher, school counselor, or social worker before school starts. Share important insights—without oversharing personal trauma. Tools from NAMI’s training suggest using language like: “When feeling unsafe, they may shut down or leave the room. Here’s what helps.” This builds a support team around your child.
4. Validate Feelings, Not Just Behavior
Many children in foster care lack the words to express how they feel. As a parent, use trauma-informed language to validate their feelings: “I can tell this is a tough day. It’s okay to feel nervous. I’m here with you.” This empathetic approach helps build a strong connection and supports their self-regulation, making you an integral part of their healing process.
5. Reflect, Don’t React
When school-related behaviors escalate, reflect on what unmet need might be underneath. Is your child feeling rejected by peers? Unsafe in the classroom? Are transitions between homes and schools stirring up old wounds? Trauma-informed parenting requires us to be detectives and advocates—not disciplinarians.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school season is not just a new academic year; it’s a major life event for kids in care. When foster parents approach school transitions with trauma-informed tools, children don’t just survive the change—they begin to heal in it. Check out the Free NAMI
Trauma insights training to learn more https://trauma-insight.nami.org/
Impact Living Services is committed to providing Foster Care services through out Virginia. Learn more about how to get involved HERE.