Managing classroom fear during violence: Teacher uses music to protect young minds. Image credit: Sinead Majiet
(The Post News) – At Yellowwood Primary School in Mitchells Plain, Grade R teacher Sinead Majiet showed remarkable strength during a frightening moment when gunshots were heard just meters from her classroom. With quick thinking, she demonstrated the importance of managing classroom fear during violence, using her presence and music to help her five- and six-year-old learners stay calm as they lay on the classroom floor.
Managing Classroom Fear During Violence: How Music Helps Students Stay Calm
In a video that quickly gained attention on social media, the children can be seen lying quietly while the teacher gently encourages them to close their eyes and focus on the calming music playing softly in the background, a clear example of managing classroom fear during violence in real time.
“My learners were understandably shaken, but because we remained calm together, they quickly regained a sense of safety. Some needed reassurance and hugs, while others expressed themselves by talking or drawing about what happened. What stood out to me was their resilience. They look at me as their teacher for protection, to guide them, and when we stay calm, they follow my instructions immediately,” Majiet said.
Following the school’s safety measures, the teacher immediately secured the classroom, moved the children away from the windows, and had them lie low. To ease their fear, she played Kids Calming Instrumental Song of Moana through her JBL mini speaker, creating a peaceful atmosphere and reinforcing her approach to managing classroom fear during violence.
Managing Classroom Fear During Violence: Support for Teachers and Learners
Speaking about the kind of support teachers need in such moments, Majiet explained: “Teachers need emotional and psychological support, not just for the children but for ourselves as well. Training in trauma-informed care, access to counsellors, and ongoing safety workshops can help. Most importantly, we need strong collaboration with parents, school leadership, and community structures to ensure schools remain safe spaces.”
Earlier this year, a similar incident shook the neighborhood, with older students witnessing a violent shooting near the railway, further adding to the trauma experienced by the children. In such situations, managing classroom fear during violence is crucial to help children feel safe and supported.
Despite her own fears, the teacher maintained composure in front of her students, understanding how important it is to keep a calm presence. She managed her stress by using music as a tool to stay centered, believing that managing classroom fear during violence requires both emotional control and practical strategies.
“Being an educator at Yellowwood Primary isn’t easy, but I focus on creating a safe haven in the classroom for my learners every year so that they feel secure and comforted. I remind myself every morning that my role is to be a steady presence for my learners. Prayer, mindfulness, and being mentally prepared to respond calmly all help me to be strong for the children,” she shared.
The rising gang violence in Mitchells Plain has residents demanding more support and policing, with officials recently committing to strengthen safety in schools. Ensuring that schools remain safe spaces is vital so children can learn and grow free from fear.
When asked by The Post News reporter if she has seen any change in behavior in the children since she introduced music as a calming tool, Majiet responded: “Yes, definitely. Music has created a soothing atmosphere where children can process their feelings without fear. Managing classroom fear during violence has become an essential part of my teaching practice.”
At Yellowwood Primary, the school doesn’t just nurture academic growth but also Sport and Culture. With extracurricular activities and music, learners experience a positive environment where managing classroom fear during violence is integrated into daily routines, giving them something stable to hold onto when the outside world feels uncertain.
For now, music continues to be a source of comfort and stability for this teacher and her pupils, helping them find a moment of calm amid a turbulent environment.
Majiet also offered a message for parents in communities facing similar violence: “My message is: your children are stronger than they seem, but they need you to guide them with love and reassurance. Let’s work together schools, parents, and communities to remind our children daily that they are safe, valued, and have a bright future ahead. Even in difficult circumstances, unity and hope can carry us through.”
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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