15/01/2026
How My Magical Garden Supports Children with Trauma in Schools
In every classroom there are children carrying experiences we may never fully see or understand. Trauma doesn’t always announce itself. It can appear quietly as anxiety, emotional overwhelm, withdrawal, perfectionism, or difficulties with focus—or sometimes it remains completely hidden.
This is why My Magical Garden is offered to all children.
Rather than asking children to identify themselves or explain their experiences, every child is guided to create their own inner magical garden and, within it, a safe place they can return to whenever they need. This inclusive approach is especially supportive for children affected by trauma, because it provides safety without pressure, choice without demand, and support without disclosure.
Importantly, My Magical Garden was explored through a 6-month academic trial carried out in a trauma-informed school, allowing the approach to be embedded naturally within an environment already committed to understanding children through a trauma-aware lens.
Why this makes such a difference for children with trauma
1. Safety without having to explain
Children who have experienced trauma often struggle to feel safe. The garden offers an internal sense of safety without requiring children to talk about what they’ve been through.
2. Choice gently restores control
Trauma can take away a child’s sense of autonomy. In their garden, children choose everything—how it looks, who or what is there, and how it feels—helping rebuild trust in themselves.
3. Supports nervous system regulation
Through guided imagery and gentle language, children are supported to calm their nervous system. This is particularly powerful for those living in a constant state of fight, flight, or freeze.
4. A tool they can use anytime
Once created, the garden becomes a lifelong inner resource—accessible during lessons, transitions, exams, or moments of overwhelm—without needing adult intervention.
5. Inclusion without stigma
Because every child has a garden, no one is singled out. This protects vulnerable children and reduces shame, while still offering deep support.
6. Emotional expression in a safe, symbolic way
Children often express emotions symbolically before they can verbalise them. The garden allows this to happen naturally, at the child’s own pace.
🌈 The wider impact in schools
When all children have access to a safe inner place:
🔵 Classrooms feel calmer
🔵 Emotional literacy develops naturally
🔵 Children learn self-regulation skills early
🔵 Schools strengthen trauma-informed practice in a gentle, practical way
Often, the most powerful impact is unseen. A child quietly returning to their garden during a difficult moment. A pause instead of an outburst. A sense of safety that slowly reshapes how a child experiences school.
✨ We may not always know who is carrying trauma—but by giving every child access to My Magical Garden, we ensure no one is left without support. ✨
If you’d like to explore how My Magical Garden can support trauma-informed practice in your school or setting, I’d be very happy to connect.
