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Meddwl Mawr
Meddwl Mawr

Engaging with research can play an important role in helping you develop your own ideas and practice as an education professional. That’s why we’ve started Meddwl Mawr, a book and journal club designed to support you on your professional learning journey.

We’ll be publishing regular recommendations on this page covering a range of interesting topics, pointing you to some of the great content available on your free online library.

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We’re keen to hear about any books or journal articles you’ve found interesting, enjoyable or useful on EBSCO. If you have a recommendation that you would like to share, then please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Your recommendations

April 2025

The Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom: A Practical Guide to Supporting Children Who Have Encountered Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences by Rebecca Brooks

Book cover, The trauma and attachment aware classroomThe Trauma and Attachment-Aware Classroom is an essential guide for educators looking to better understand and support children who have experienced trauma and attachment difficulties. Brooks draws on her background as a teacher, foster carer, adoptive parent, and Education Policy Advisor for Adoption UK, to offer an insightful perspective on how trauma affects children's ability to form connections and thrive in educational settings.

Using real-life examples from UK schools, Brooks provides guidance on how to adapt teaching strategies to better support these children, enhancing both their learning and well-being. She offers clear illustrations of how traditional school approaches can inadvertently affect children with trauma or attachment issues. The book also outlines alternative, trauma-sensitive, approaches that create more supportive classroom environments. Through this, she outlines a clear roadmap for positive transformation, encouraging meaningful change in schools.

Brooks provides key reminders of how early trauma can be displayed in a child’s behaviour, often becoming apparent in the classroom. She offers strategies for teachers to recognise and address triggers, helping children navigate their emotions and better cope with challenging situations. Therapeutic approaches such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy) and NVR (Non-Violent Resistance), are highlighted as practical tools to support the emotional and intellectual growth of children and young people. This book is a great resource for educators who want to create a nurturing environment for children affected by adverse childhood experiences.

Previous editions

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Why not try using the tools in the PLP to reflect on the ideas from this month’s recommendations and how you can apply them to your own practice?

Have you been inspired by our recommendations, and want to share what you’ve learnt with your colleagues?  Read our guide to setting up a journal club.