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By the age of 16, more than two-thirds of children report having experienced a traumatic event. You can’t prevent these experiences from occurring for the children that you work with. But there are things you can do to support them in meaningful ways.

Learning how to avoid retraumatization is critical. It benefits the child and the other children and providers interacting with them. Being observant of particular behaviors may help you identify when you’re working with a child who is dealing with the effects of traumatic experiences. However,  there will also be children who don’t show obvious signs of trauma. Using trauma-informed practices will help you avoid triggering these children. Retraumatizing a child may cause them emotional turmoil. In this state, it can be difficult for them to self-regulate.…

As summer winds down, families are starting to get their kids ready for back-to-school preparations. Unfortunately, part of that preparation includes having some difficult conversations. The last few years have been packed with challenges that have directly impacted children and the schools they will return to. 

Topics like gun violence, racial inequality, and global pandemics are immense. In today’s world, families have  to learn how to discuss them with school-age children. It’s difficult for adults to navigate these emotionally charged and traumatic subjects. Expecting a child to be able to do so is additionally challenging.

Organizations that work with children and families can start by being aware of, and sensitive to, the effects that going back to school has on kids during these trying times.…