Refugee children often experience an accumulation of stressful events, and can suffer from chronic stress, although most will recover without professional help. Teachers can play an important role in this recovery, and strengthen children's natural resilience.

Research shows that support from dependable adults is crucial for the recovery of children suffering from stress symptoms. A teacher can fulfil this role of being a reliable adult, providing support and increasing a child’s sense of safety. Teachers are well placed to do this thanks to the skills they often already possess for other children in the classroom. In this course, teachers learn about stress in children, and how it should be handled so that children can feel safe again and resume learning.

The course consists of several parts that can be followed flexibly and separately. In total, the course contains 4 hours of study material.

The first part of the course deals with the theory about the accumulation of stress in children. This part also focuses on children’s resilience and natural recovery. It is followed by 6 thematic parts, each designed from a perspective of how a teacher can promote children’s resilience and recovery. The themes in this course are:

1. Increasing safety: Making sure a child feels safe in the classroom by being a safe person and providing a safe school environment.
2. Managing emotions: Supporting children in understanding, expressing and controlling their emotions. Learning to deal with children's stress reactions.
3. Controlling behaviour: Supporting children by understanding their situations, so teachers can stimulate positive behaviour and correct unwanted behavior in a way that feels safe for children suffering chronic stress.
4. Stimulating relationships: Building a positive and supportive relationship with refugee children, and stimulating relationships between children.
5. Involving parents: Working together with parents while understanding their backgrounds, and strengthening their roles as educators and main support figures for their children.
6. Looking after children, and looking after yourself: Learning when it is necessary to get help for children, and understanding the kind of help available. Taking care of yourself, so you do not get overwhelmed by what refugee children have gone through.

 A wide range of working methods are used in the various parts, including case histories and animations. The curriculum of the course can be used for a wider audience than just refugee children, and benefits all pupils. This course is based on the idea that you continue to act as you always have done as a teacher, but with extra attention for the backgrounds of refugee children.