Trauma & Young Children
Now, more than ever, there is a need for early childhood educators and leaders to help mitigate the negative effects of trauma on children. Together we must turn fears into positivity, work proactively to support children, families, ourselves, and each other. It is of great importance. For many children, trauma disrupts their development with the emotional, social, cognitive, linguistic, and physical progression, making it challenging to learn until the effects are addressed. It is critical that we, as early childhood educators, be able to support children and help children develop resilience and coping strategies.
Featured Articles & Resources
Using Nature Contact to Support Children Under Stress
Creating Trauma-Sensitive Classrooms
Must Read Books
Spotlight on Young Children: Social and Emotional Development
Revised Edition by Marilou Hyson
Culturally Responsive Self-Care Practices for Early Childhood Educators
by Julie Nicholson, et al.
Connections to Wyoming Resources
Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality
Chapter 1: Relationships and Interactions
Chapter 2: The Emotional and Physical Environment
Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards
Several tie-ins with:
Relationships and Interactions
Communication
Cognition
Physical Health and Development
Cowboy Conference Archive
Keynote: Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices in Early Childhood (September 24, 2021)
Julie Kurtz and Julie Nicholson, authors and nationally recognized experts on trauma-responsive care and education.
Trauma-Responsive Family Engagement Practices for Early Childhood Providers (September 24, 2021)
Julie Kurtz and Julie Nicholson, authors and nationally recognized experts on trauma-responsive care and education.
Voices From the Village Podcast
Voices From Our Village: Season 2: Episode 3. Julie Kurtz - Trauma Informed Teaching
Sisters Janae Asay, Anna Sibbett, and Sarah Pence share their experiences in early childhood education and parenting.
Sisters Janae Asay, Anna Sibbett, and Sarah Pence share their experiences in early childhood education and parenting.
Sisters Janae Asay, Anna Sibbett, and Sarah Pence share their experiences in early childhood education and parenting.
Project ECHO
Julie Kurtz, LMFT and Julie Nicholson, PhD
Trauma-Responsive Practice #2: Safe and Predictable Environments (November 5, 2021)
Julie Kurtz, LMFT and Julie Nicholson, PhD
Anti-Bias Education in Changing and Challenging Times (December 4, 2020)
Debbie LeeKeenan, Lecturer, Co-Author of Leading Anti-bias Early Childhood Programs: A Guide for Change, and former director of the Eliot-Pearson Children's School at Tufts University
Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards – Equity Connections (February 25, 2022)
Lauren Carlisle (Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network), Char Norris (Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative)
Promoting Inclusion: Practices for a Supportive Environment (March 11, 2022)
Presenters: Catasha Williams and Sherri Williams (UNC Frank Porter Graham Institute)
Ableism and Anti-Ableism: The Unlearning Begins Here (January 20, 2023)
Jen Newton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Special Education, Department of Teacher Education, Ohio University
ACEs & Protective Factors (October 18, 2019)
Jennifer Davis Consultant, Wyoming Children's Trust Fund (WCTF)
Explore More
Focusing on Families: A Two-Generation Model for Reducing Parents’ Stress and Boosting Preschoolers’ Self-Regulation and Attention
by Eric Pakulak, et al
by Elizabeth K. King