What Teachers Should Be Trained to Spot in Students

As a teacher, you are responsible for children’s education. However, there are other ways you can play a positive role in your students’ lives. Stay aware of these issues that children may face, and how you can help them.

Bullying at School

It’s no secret that children everywhere deal with teasing and bullying in school. However, these situations can go from friendly to destructive very quickly. As a teacher, keep a constant watch on your students and how they interact with others in the school. Bullying can be fairly easy to spot. Any physical bullying you will likely notice during recess or other activities. However, the verbal bullying that children have to deal with can be more difficult to spot. If you notice that one of your students has been more reserved or distracted during class, Carithers Pediatric Group suggests this may be a sign of bullying. Pay special attention to how other schoolmates treat them. If you do notice any signs of bullying, get in contact with the students’ parents to resolve the situation.

Abuse at Home

While bullying is an incredibly difficult thing for children to deal with, they may also have greater abuse occurring in their lives. According to Saprea, one in five children suffers sexual abuse before they turn 18. This kind of abuse can destroy a child’s self-esteem, and make them scared to go home. Watch out for signs in your students that may indicate they are suffering from abuse at home. These include excessive worry, being afraid to be away from primary caregivers, increased sexual knowledge, and more. Learn the signs of sexual abuse, and look for them in your students. If you do notice a student exhibiting signs, they may not be open to admitting anything is wrong. Children who suffer this kind of abuse are often very fearful of telling anyone else what is going on. 

Food Insecurity

If you live in an area with high poverty rates, food insecurity is something you should take very seriously. Children may have difficulty getting enough to eat. If you notice that your students aren’t bringing lunches or frequently complain about being hungry, consider having a classroom food stash in your classroom. Consider having snack options that students can pick from if they’re hungry. If you notice that students are continually missing lunch, consider speaking to the administration about a free lunch program for them.

There are many issues that your students can face during their childhoods. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to make a positive change in your children’s lives. Keep an eye out for these difficulties your children may be facing and help in any way you can.

Check out this article for more ways teachers can keep their classroom and students safe!