How Trauma-Informed Care Strengthens Early Childhood Education
02/28/25
In February, Action for Children hosted its first Trauma-Informed Care Conference, a collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital that my AFC mates and I had spent months preparing for.
Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters in Early Learning
The timing for a trauma-informed care conference couldn’t have been better for the early care and education professionals who attended the virtual conference. “In early childhood education, understanding trauma-informed care helps educators create safe, nurturing environments where children feel secure and supported, allowing them to build resilience and develop healthy coping skills,” Lori Kowit, a Professional Development Specialist at Action for Children says. “In workplaces, trauma-informed approaches promote a culture of empathy, reducing burnout and fostering stronger team dynamics. In our communities, embracing trauma-informed care can lead to more compassionate policies, improved mental health outcomes, and stronger, more connected communities. By recognizing the signs of trauma and responding with sensitivity and support, we can break cycles of adversity and create environments where all individuals can thrive.”
A Hands-On Approach: Building Empathy in the Classroom
We started the morning conference session with an exercise in perspective, putting ourselves in other people’s shoes. A picture of a person popped up then a description of their situation. Empathizing was easy as we put ourselves in the situations. We were more willing to give the benefit of the doubt and grace when we knew what they were going through. We jumped into support and problem-solving mode. Whether or not we know the whole situation, being able to empathize with others is the first step to becoming a trauma-informed early learning professional and is a good reminder that a person’s outside demeanor and behavior is often a result of their experiences over time. We don’t know the experiences they have had.
Strengthening Resilience: Supporting Educators + Children
This exercise gave participants a great foundation to begin their deep dive into understanding trauma. Throughout the morning, Master Instructors from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Colleen Wallace, MS, and Katlin Carpenter, MSW, LISW-S shared with participants how to create supportive early childcare environments. Session instructors shared information about resiliency, an individual’s capacity to adapt positively to pressure, setbacks, challenges and change, in order to achieve and sustain peak personal effectiveness. They provided tools to measure and helped educators think through building their own resiliency, since it strongly relates to their ability to support the children in their care.
Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies for Educators
Wrapping up, Colleen and Katy laid out trauma-informed strategies to use in early childhood including, continuing their education, creating an inviting, homelike, classroom environment, that includes, space to be alone and quiet. The educators who attended were also encouraged to be reflective and utilize tools like self-assessments, classroom assessments, developing continuous improvement plans, creating connection, diffusing conflict, planning for challenging incidents, and utilizing a team approach.
Looking Ahead: Creating Lasting Change in Early Childhood Education
Towards the end of the day, Dr. Soo Youn Kim, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, and Dawn Greathouse, PhD, BCBA Clinical psychologist from Nationwide Children’s Hospital kicked off the afternoon session with a review of the types of trauma and an exercise asking participants to think about the behaviors children display in their classrooms that could indicate they have experienced trauma. In addition to providing specific strategies in four areas of early childhood trauma informed practice, Dr. Kim & Dr. Greathouse shared great video examples of interactions for group discussion.
The strategies that were learned during the conference go beyond supporting those that have experienced trauma — they are best practices that can benefit everyone. As a Professional Development specialist, my hope is that educators reflect on all the information and strategies from today and begin implementing them in a sustainable way in their classrooms tomorrow.
As one participant shared, “I just want to encourage those working firsthand with children from all backgrounds that we may be the only safe place these children may encounter so we continue being that for each one. One plants, one waters, and we believe we’ll see the increase.”
Have a child you’re concerned about in the classroom?
Action for Children has partnered with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to provide you with support. Scan the QR code to get connected with an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health consultant who can help observe and provide customized strategies for you in your classroom!
Author: Jerianne Gooding, Professional Development Specialist Action for Children
Contributors: Lori Kowit, Professional Development Specialist Action for Children, Emily Manahan, Professional Development Coordinator at Action for Children, and Christiana Sallard, Marketing & Communications Manager at Action for Children
Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio, and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Our services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth; care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. Learn More.
Action or Children like to extend a special thank you to Nationwide Children’s Hospital staff who collaborated on this conference and provided such valuable information. Learn more about Nationwide Children’s Hospital.