Trauma-Informed Classroom Management in Music Education: A Literature Review

Students who have experienced trauma may be especially likely to present challenging behaviors in the classroom. With an increase of trauma-affected students in music classrooms, it is important for music educators to consider classroom management (CM) practices that support trauma-affected students’ healing without triggering students’ trauma responses. In this review of literature, I discuss childhood trauma and trauma-informed positive education (TIPE), research-supported CM strategies in music education, and the ways in which these CM practices do or do not support the trauma-informed approach outlined by TIPE. In addition, I provide my own definition for trauma-informed CM in music education and suggest implications for the music education field.