Dr. Renee Boynton-Jarrett, MD and Dr. Chandra Ghosh Ippen, PhD, experts on child trauma, have a candid conversation about how adults, whether caregivers, early education professionals, or advocates, can navigate conversations with young children to support the overall well-being of children and of themselves.
This event was co-sponsored by Child Care Aware® of America and ZERO TO THREE.
Key Takeaways
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Young children absorb stress from the world and need support from adults
When violence, fear, and ongoing stress are in the environment, babies and toddlers may show high levels of stress even if they can’t put it into words. Adults play a central role in helping them feel safe and understood. -
Caregivers and professionals need tools for sensitive conversations
The webinar emphasizes how to talk with young children about traumatic experiences in a way that supports their emotional well‑being rather than overwhelming them. -
Predictable routines and stability matter for regulation
Consistent daily routines help children feel more secure and less overwhelmed by uncertainty. Predictability gives them a sense of control and safety. -
Adults must care for their own emotional health to support children
The webinar highlights the importance of caregiver self‑care and regulation. When adults manage their own stress, they can be more emotionally available and responsive to children. -
Trauma‑informed support is essential for healthy development
Approaches that recognize the impact of trauma include creating emotional safety, interpreting behaviors as stress responses rather than “misbehavior,” and connecting families with trauma‑sensitive resources.
Resources and Slides
Resources from Child Care Aware® of America
- Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
- Emotional Wellness for Caregivers
- Crisis and Disaster Resources
- Child Care Resource & Referral Agency Search
Resources from ZERO TO THREE
- Trauma and Stress
- Supporting Families: Young Children and Gun Violence
- Mindfulness in Early Childhood
- Do Babies Have Mental Health Needs?
- Shelter from the Storm: Responding to Natural Disasters
Additional Resources
- Chandra Ghosh Ippen Presentation Slides
- Once I was Very Very Scared by Chandra Ghosh Ippen
- Diversity Informed Tenets for Work With Infants, Children & Families
- Sesame Street in Communities on Community Violence
- Sesame Street in Communities on Gun Violence
- Webinar: When We Are Scared / Cuando Tenemos Miedo
Related Books
(Please note that some of these books were suggested by webinar attendees)
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
- I See Your Skin, But That Is Not All I See! by Tiffany Sullivan
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
- Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
- Sophie by Mem Fox
- My Friend EEPWORM and EEPWORM’s Emotional Day by Corinne Goyette
- No Matter What by Debi Gliori
- I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared by Seth Meyers
