Sometimes it’s hard to know how to
work with young children who have been through a traumatic
event, like a disaster. Dr. Bruce Perry, of the Child
Trauma Academy, who has worked with many young survivors
of trauma, tells us that “more than 30% of children
living through traumatic stress develop some form of post
traumatic stress disorder.”
“Traumatic experiences can have a devastating
impact on the child, altering their physical, emotional,
cognitive and social development. In turn, the impact
on the child has profound implications for their family,
community and, ultimately, us all.”
** Dr.
Perry’s research indicates that this condition
can last the rest of the person’s life.
Whereas post traumatic stress
disorder is a chronic condition that requires
the attention of mental health professionals, Family
Child Care Providers can give assistance to children
every day as they work with those in their care. Dr.
Perry’s research has found that if we work with
children soon after the traumatic event it may be
possible to help them recover from some of those devastating
experiences.
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Child with broom, orphanage
Moldova |
These Focus pages will give
Family Child Care Providers some ideas of
how they can help these young survivors. Also listed on these
pages are a few resources that can be ordered
that can give additional suggestions for adults working with
children. There is one book for children listed as well.
20
Ways to Be - Click here to read
Words
To Use - Click here to read
** Helping Traumatized Children,
A Brief Overview for Caregivers, by Bruce D. Perry, M.D.,
Ph.D., www.childtrauma.org/ctamaterials/Principles2.asp,
pages 5 and 2.
:
For
Providers:
Making It Better, Activities for Children Living
in a Stressful World, by Barbara Oehlberg
This book is filled with practical
activities to use with children to help them survive,
thrive and heal from the stresses, trauma and violence
they experience. Whereas it was written for classroom
use, it is very useful for working with children in
Family Child Care settings.
More Resources: Books
for adults, books
for children, websites,
dvd and workbook.
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