CHILDREN AND TRAUMA
When traumatic events happen to a child, it can be difficult for educators, administrators, parents, and other family members to know how to help them understand and work through what has happened. As caring adults, our minds fill up with so many questions about how we can help the child while managing our own reactions. This can cause everything to suddenly become overwhelming, making things feel out of our control adding to the problem. As soon as you become aware of any signs of trauma in your child, we recommend some helpful tips for immediately helping your child to cope in a healthy way. You don’t have to manage trauma symptoms in Your child alone! What you are feeling is important and plays a critical role in providing your child with the reassurance, comfort, and support they will need to move past the trauma and start healing. What you do and how you act after the child experiences a traumatic event can make a significant difference in your child's progress and ability to properly adjust. Your child is looking to you to feel safe and secure. Here are some helpful tips and strategies:
Five Strategies to Help Your Child with Trauma Symptoms
DID YOU KNOW THAT ACTING CALM IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN HELPING YOUR CHILD?
Children tend to pick up on our behaviors, so if we are filled with anxiety, they will be anxious as well. One of the best tips we can offer is to act calm and do not discuss your anxieties with or around your child.
ROUTINES ARE KEY TO KEEPING LIFE AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE
Additionally, it is important to understand that children thrive in stable environments. In your efforts to guide your child through this unpleasant territory, make sure to maintain their normal routine as much as possible. This will help the child feel safe and secure. Also, encourage your child to continue normal activities and play will remind them to enjoy themselves.
NAME IT TO TAME IT
Your child is going to want to talk to you about their traumatic experience and that is okay. Look for natural openings to talk to your child about the matter and make sure to actively practice listening as well. It is okay for you to share age-appropriate details of the traumatic event in a brief but honest way. Your child will cope with this in very different ways than you will as an adult. Your validation of their feelings will not only help you understand what your child is experiencing, but it will decrease your child’s anxiety knowing that it is normal to feel and express sadness, anger, and guilt.
LET YOUR CHILD KNOW IT IS OKAY TO TALK ABOUT IT
Always make sure your child knows that it is okay to talk to you about their feelings. Children often have so many questions about traumatic experiences and they need to know that you are ready and willing to talk to them at any time.
TEACH YOUR CHILD COPING SKILLS FOR TRAUMA SYMPTOMS
It is important that your child has strategies to cope with uncomfortable emotions. Some activities are as follows:
Teach your child to relax with breathing exercises
Teach your child to express themselves with the use of a 'feelings box' where they can quietly share what they are feeling
Encouraging family discussions are all helpful things to teach your child as you work through traumatic experiences together
Teach your child to practice journaling
