“Wyatt’s face grew a darker shade of red. Between sobs, he sputtered, “I hate recess! Everybody plays so rough!” 

I steadied myself with a deep breath, mustering every ounce of calm I could. I felt the eyes of 30 seven-year-olds watching me as they filed into the classroom from recess.

In my most calm and in-control tone of voice, I instructed, “Class, please meet me at your rug spots. You can talk quietly to your rug partner while you wait for me to start our science lesson in a few minutes.”

I returned my attention to Wyatt. He had been in my classroom for the past 10 minutes, distraught over a heated game of soccer that became too physical. I knew that Wyatt’s stress was more than the typical first-grader’s reaction to soccer troubles—he had experienced abuse at home; games that got too physical triggered his PTSD.”