Often, we hear that children are so resilient and can move through traumatic events more easily than adults. Some children handle difficult events better than others, but they are not exempt from the long-term effects of upsetting or traumatic life events.
In an article published by Dr. Jerry Burbrick on the Child Mind Institute website, there are some significant signs that children are struggling when past events have left them with long-term impact. It is important that parents, early childhood teachers, regular education teachers and other youth workers be informed about these symptoms.
Some of these effects are as follows:
- They experience grief 3 to 6 months after the event happens
- They have become fascinated by death
- They have become obsessed with their personal safety
- They suddenly have problems with sleeping, eating, anger or attention
- They become triggered by regular occurring events, like a friend’s birthday
- They refuse to go to the place where the event happened, like school
We should also recognize that stress and trauma can manifest differently in girls and boys. Although this is by no means definitive, boys often react more quickly and with more irritation and anger, while girls can have delayed reactions that are more internal.
Some ways to help children cope with a traumatic event include:
- Do what you can to help them feel safe
- Be calm which is a contagiously positive emotion to them
- Keep the normalizing routines in your family
- Give them opportunities for fun and enjoyment
- Listen well
- Speak openly about the event in ways that are attuned to their understanding
- Help them regulate with good breathing exercises and other regulating interventions that are comfortable for them
- Acknowledge their feelings
- Feel free to say “I don’t know” to some questions that may be difficult
Always remember that there are trauma-informed professionals that can also help when the typical coping mechanisms do not work.
For professionals who work with children, be mindful that there is training for you. I know that our Lakeside Global Institute has a full early childhood trauma certification program that is designed to help professional childcare workers to help children in their care cope with traumatic events. It is important that we join with our children in their varied emotions, expressions and behaviors related to traumatic events that they have experienced. Dealing with these issues effectively will make a huge difference to their emotional and relational health in the future..
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
