Trauma and Child's Brains by April Edwards

Trauma affects more than the child's brain!

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:35:29 UTC

It affects their entire bodies, even their immune systems.

From prenatal (in the womb) until about age 5, our brains do the most growing and go through the most change

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:36:53 UTC

Trauma in a child’s life causes their brain to not grow correctly and causes damage. Healthy emotional and cognitive development is so important always but especially in the first five years of life.

Having a lot of toxic stress in a child’s life causes the child to face problems that can last their entire lifetime.

Trauma can cause developmental delays

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:38:39 UTC

If the child has a caretaker that makes them feel safe, they can overcome this but if they are abused and don’t have that safe bond, these issues can continue to get worse and last the child’s entire lifetime. Studies show that toddlers who have secure, trusting relationships with parents or non-parent caregivers experience minimal stress hormone activation when frightened by a strange event, and those who have insecure relationships experience a significant activation of the stress response system

Trauma Informed Teaching

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:41:50 UTC

The point of this is to help educators understand the development, social challenges and emotional challenges these students are having to deal with. Trauma-informed learning helps teachers to lean therapeutic ways to help teach the students in classrooms. Part of this is to build relationships with your students and to make your classroom a safe place for all students. It teaches teachers to go from “What is wrong with this student?” to “What has this student been through?”

The "Bad" Kids

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:43:32 UTC

Children that have trauma in their lives are often labeled the “bad” kids and have a hard time paying attention and often act out. Trauma often causes children to appear over emotional or not show emotion at all. These children aren't bad! They just need a little more support

Childhood trauma Is Very Common

apriledwards3 — 2023-12-06 22:46:20 UTC

According to SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative “more than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16”. “At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and this is likely an underestimate.”