Psychological effects of war, violence and natural disasters can be more damaging on humans than the physical nature of an event. Not only do large and community-wide events affect children but personal or family tragedies like the death of a beloved pet, an automobile accident or parents leaving their children behind as they go to work in another state or country can result in feelings of great fear and despair.

For young children such incidents can have a devastating psychological impact, for the developing brain of the young child is especially vulnerable. It’s the brain that triggers fear responses when confronted by a traumatic event. All experiences change the brain in some way - a good experience as well as bad events, for the brain learns and changes by what it experiences. So if children experience a frightening event their brains actually physiologically change in response. But we can help children feel less frightened and maybe help them return to more normal patterns of living by what we do, how we work with children and what materials we provide for their use.

Whether you are a teacher, a program administrator or a parent, here you will find informative articles that are designed to fit your programs and your work with children.

Teacher Focus Key Ingredients in Helping Children Heal Activities and Materials Activities and Materials Administrator Focus Adapting Your Early Childhood Program for Recovery Parent Focus After a Traumatic Event Children’s Typical Behavior May Change What You Can Do To Help Children Understand Their Feelings Family Child Care Provider Focus 20 Ways to Be Words to use International Focus General Items of Interest

Playing in the sand, refugee camp, Middle East