Trauma Informed Approach to Early Childhood Education Training

Using a Trauma Informed Approach to Early Childhood Education

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “one out of every 4 children has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior.  Trauma can impact later school performance; lower GPA; increase the rate of school absences and chances for drop-out; higher incidents of suspension and expulsion and decrease student’s reading ability.” (NCTSN Child Trauma Educator Toolkit) As those in Early Childhood Education understand the educational impacts of trauma, they can become safe, supportive environments where children make positive connections with adults, learn strategies to help calm their emotions to behave appropriately, and set them up to achieve greater academic success.  Trauma responsive approaches may look different at each childcare setting, however, by having a shared definition of what it means to be trauma informed can bring educators, and caregivers together in ways that better support children.