Putting young students in a closet, locking the doors, and pulling down the shades. We call these safety drills. Young students can be traumatized by these exercises. Is there a better way?

Amanda Nickerson is an associate professor and director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York. She has written 4 books and over 65 journal articles. Launa Hall is a classroom teacher and a writer. She writes on early childhood education topics and teaches in a Title I elementary school in northern Virginia. Lesley Koplow is a clinical social worker, teacher and author who lives in New York City. She is the founding Director of Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street College, founder of Networks for Schools That Heal and a psychotherapist in private practice.