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The resources in the Coping with Trauma section of MAP will help you address the needs of children in times of violence and trauma. Some of the resources are specific to children with special needs and others are more general. Some of the resources are available in other languages as indicated.
ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Disabilities and Traumatic Stress
Mental Health
Helping Children Cope with Tragedy and Traumatic Events
Resources for Children
Supporting Self-Regulation
Tip Sheets Guides and Checklists
Tool Kits on Trauma
Training on Trauma Informed Care
Videos

ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

Featured image for “ACES and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions”
ACES and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked QuestionsCenter for the Developing Child, Harvard University
This infographic from the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard provides a simple explanation of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the long term effects as well as how to reduce…
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Preventing Adverse Childhood ExperiencesCenter for Disease Control
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their associated harms are preventable. Creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments can prevent ACEs and help all children reach their full health and life…
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Strong StartsFirst 5 California
What is toxic stress? Stop toxic stress before it starts. The best way to protect your child from toxic stress is to build them up before tough things happen. With…
Translations: Spanish
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Ways to Counter the Effects of Adverse Childhood ExperiencesPsychology Today
Groundbreaking research conducted in the 1990s found that the greater number of negative childhood experiences a person had, the more likely they were to experience poor health outcomes later in…

Disabilities and Traumatic Stress

Featured image for “Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities (PDF)”
Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities (PDF)National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Provides background on developmental disabilities, statistical information regarding the incidence of trauma for this population, special characteristics of the population that may influence the incidence of trauma, possible reasons for…
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How Trauma Affects People with Intellectual Disabilities (PDF)The Arc
During a traumatic event, people with intellectual disabilities may experience intense fears and feelings of helplessness beyond their normal coping capacity.
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Trauma-Informed Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: From Disparity to Policies for Effective ActionPubMed Central
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are an often overlooked minority population. They experience significant health disparities and a high risk of exposure to traumatic events that can lead to stress-related…
Featured image for “Trauma Lingers for Those Who Have Experienced Seclusion and Restraint”
Trauma Lingers for Those Who Have Experienced Seclusion and RestraintDisability Scoop
Seclusion and restraint can hurt children, said Ross Greene, a clinical child psychologist who taught at Harvard Medical School for more than 20 years and wrote four books on behavioral…

Mental Health

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Resource GuidesCenter on the Developing Child, Harvard University
Take a deeper dive into key concepts and topics with our resource guides.
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Thriving Kids ProjectChild Mind Institute
“A series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills. The project was born of…
Translations: Spanish
Featured image for “Tools for Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth”
Tools for Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and YouthNational Academies
While fewer children and youth have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, the COVID-19 pandemic has still had a major impact on their lives. Though typically resilient to everyday…
Translations: Spanish

Helping Children Cope with Tragedy and Traumatic Events

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Trauma ResourcesChild Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute has prepared free trauma resources to aid parents, educators, and other adults in talking to children and adolescents about potentially traumatic events and identifying those who…
Translations: Multilingual
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Friendship Circle: TraumaFriendship Circle
How to Keep Students with Disabilities Safe in Lockdowns, Evacuations and Other School Crises Four Ways to Prevent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children The reality of post traumatic stress…
Featured image for “Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events”
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic EventsNational Institute of Mental Health
Every year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. Family, friends, and trusted adults play an essential role in helping youth cope with these experiences.
Translations: Spanish
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Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a ShootingAmerican Psychological Association
Brief practical advice available in English and Spanish.
Translations: Spanish
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Multilingual Trauma ResourcesChild Mind Institute
When communities experience episodes of violence or face natural disasters these events are hard even for adults to comprehend. We can’t shield our children from pain and fear when they’re…
Translations: Multiple languages
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Coping with ViolenceNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by violence across the globe. We’ve compiled these online resources for parents, teachers, and others working with young children about…
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National Association of School Psychologists
This resource addresses the need for schools and parents to work together and gives tips for children with specific types of needs. School Violence Resources Natural Disasters
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Resources for School PersonnelNational Child Trauma Stress Network (NCTSN)
Provides a comprehensive website on trauma with information and resources for parents, care givers and educators in English and Spanish. Guiding Caregivers: How to Talk to a Child About Deportation…
Translations: Spanish
Featured image for “Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators and Parents”
Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators and ParentsEdutopia
When tragic events happen, it can be difficult for educators, administrators, and parents to know how to help children understand and cope. How adults manage their own reactions, as well…
Featured image for “The Teacher’s Role When Tragedy Strikes”
The Teacher’s Role When Tragedy StrikesChild Mind Institute
Healing for students dealing with tragedy begins in the classroom
Translations: Spanish
Featured image for “Terrorism and War Sharpen Focus on Traumatic Effects of Violence on Babies and Toddlers: Resources Available to Help Children, Families”
Terrorism and War Sharpen Focus on Traumatic Effects of Violence on Babies and Toddlers: Resources Available to Help Children, FamiliesZero to Three
It’s difficult for parents and caregivers under profound stress to convey the sense of unconditional love and security that every baby needs and deserves, and that instability can also have…
Featured image for “Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event (PDF)”
Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event (PDF)Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A guide for parents, caregivers, and teachers on how to talk with and help children and youth cope in the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event. It explains how…
Featured image for “The Ultimate Guide to Talking About Tough Topics with Young Children”
The Ultimate Guide to Talking About Tough Topics with Young ChildrenHousman Institute
In this article, you will find important information about how to talk to children about common tough topics, including shootings, death, racism, mental health, illness, divorce, and more. Also find…
Featured image for “When Someone A Child Loves Dies (PDF)”
When Someone A Child Loves Dies (PDF)Fred Rogers Institute
This guidance from Fred Rogers provides tips on how to talk to your child about death, alerts you to common reactions that you may see while your child grieves and…
Featured image for “Zero to Three: Trauma and Stress”
Zero to Three: Trauma and StressZero to Three
Strong, caring and loving relationships can shield children from the impact of negative experiences, and they can be mutually healing. Children are deeply impacted by the events that take place…

Resources for Children

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Piplo Productions
The mission of Piplo Productions is to help children and families recover after stressful or traumatic events by using story, clinical psychology and cute characters. Free Stories and Resources to…
Translations: Multiple languages
Featured image for “Resources for Helping Children Deal with Trauma”
Resources for Helping Children Deal with TraumaPublic Broadcasting Service (PBS)
WCTE PBS stands in solidarity with the families impacted by the recent tragic event at Covenant School in Nashville. To assist in difficult conversations about violence in our community, we…
Featured image for “Sesame Street in Communities: Traumatic Experiences (Videos)”
Sesame Street in Communities: Traumatic Experiences (Videos)Sesame Workshop
When a child endures a traumatic experience, the whole family feels the impact. But adults hold the power to help lessen its effects. Several factors can change the course of…
Translations: Spanish
Featured image for “Sesame Street: Offering Comfort in Scary Times”
Sesame Street: Offering Comfort in Scary TimesSesame Workshop
Watch the video together and let kids know it’s good to ask questions about the [scary or confusing] things happening around them. Here are more ways you can offer your…

Supporting Self-Regulation

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Self-Regulation SnapshotsFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
FPG’s Desiree Murray and Duke Center for Child and Family Policy’s Katie Rosanbalm co-authored these free snapshots for practitioners and educators to use for each of six developmental phases. Each…
Featured image for “Supporting Development of Self-Regulation in Young Children: Tips for Practitioners Working in Classroom Settings-Infants”
Supporting Development of Self-Regulation in Young Children: Tips for Practitioners Working in Classroom Settings-InfantsAdministration for Children & Families (ACF)
These documents provide tips to help caregivers use co-regulation to support early development of self-regulation skills in infants and toddlers. They provide further explanation of the research to practice information…
Featured image for “Trauma Lingers for Those Who Have Experienced Seclusion and Restraint”
Trauma Lingers for Those Who Have Experienced Seclusion and RestraintDisability Scoop
Seclusion and restraint can hurt children, said Ross Greene, a clinical child psychologist who taught at Harvard Medical School for more than 20 years and wrote four books on behavioral…

Tip Sheets Guides and Checklists

Featured image for “Checklist of Early Childhood Practices that Support Social Emotional Development and Trauma-Informed Care”
Checklist of Early Childhood Practices that Support Social Emotional Development and Trauma-Informed CareNational Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
This checklist is a list of practices that will help guide your thinking about how to support the social emotional development of young children who have experienced trauma. This list…
Featured image for “Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic Events”
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Traumatic EventsNational Institute of Mental Health
Every year, children and adolescents experience disasters and other traumatic events. Family, friends, and trusted adults play an essential role in helping youth cope with these experiences.
Translations: Spanish
Featured image for “Leading with Compassion: Building Trauma-Informed Pyramid Model Programs (PDF)”
Leading with Compassion: Building Trauma-Informed Pyramid Model Programs (PDF)National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
Children and families experience and process trauma in different ways. You may never fully understand a family’s story, and that is okay. Trauma-informed care does not require anyone to be…
Featured image for “The Pyramid Model and Trauma-Informed Care: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals to Support Young Children’s Resilience (PDF)”
The Pyramid Model and Trauma-Informed Care: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals to Support Young Children’s Resilience (PDF)National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
This guide provides resources that support early childhood professionals to integrate the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children and trauma-informed care. The intended…
Featured image for “Strategies to Support Children Who Have Experienced Trauma (PDF)”
Strategies to Support Children Who Have Experienced Trauma (PDF)Center for Inclusive Child Care
The American Psychological Association describes a traumatic event as an occurrence in which there is a threat of injury, death or of bodily harm to one’s self or others. Feelings…
Featured image for “Supporting Development of Self-Regulation in Young Children: Tips for Practitioners Working in Classroom Settings-Infants”
Supporting Development of Self-Regulation in Young Children: Tips for Practitioners Working in Classroom Settings-InfantsAdministration for Children & Families (ACF)
These documents provide tips to help caregivers use co-regulation to support early development of self-regulation skills in infants and toddlers. They provide further explanation of the research to practice information…

Tool Kits on Trauma

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123 Trauma Sensitive Tool Kit for CaregiversSpokane Regional Health District
The 1-2-3 Care Toolkit is intended to support caregivers on their journey towards trauma sensitivity. It is organized by topic, each offering a brief overview, specific tools that can be…
Featured image for “Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (PDF)”
Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (PDF)National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.    
Featured image for “Tools for Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and Youth”
Tools for Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Children and YouthNational Academies
While fewer children and youth have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, the COVID-19 pandemic has still had a major impact on their lives. Though typically resilient to everyday…
Translations: Spanish

Training on Trauma Informed Care

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Center for Optimal Brain Integration
Center for Optimal Brain Integration trains, coaches and consults internationally on trauma-responsive practices and social-emotional strategies that build resilience.
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Culturally Responsive Trauma Informed Practice ModulesCalifornia Early Childhood Online (CECO)
California Early Childhood Online (CECO) has released 5 training modules on Culturally Responsive Trauma Informed Practice, found under the Topic filter. They are available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Log…
Featured image for “Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational & Care Settings (Video)”
Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational & Care Settings (Video)Office of the California Surgeon General
Safe spaces, developed by the Office of the California Surgeon General,  is a free, online training designed to help early care providers, TK-12 educators and other school personnel recognize and…
Featured image for “Trauma and Early Head Start and Head Start Families”
Trauma and Early Head Start and Head Start FamiliesCenter for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC)
The Early Head Start and Head Start programs serve our most vulnerable children and families, including those who have experienced trauma. These Training Modules are designed towards Early Head Start…

Videos

Featured image for “Redirecting Grief to Growth: A Trusted Space, Video and Curriculum to Address Grief, Trauma and Anxiety During COVID-19 (Video)”
Redirecting Grief to Growth: A Trusted Space, Video and Curriculum to Address Grief, Trauma and Anxiety During COVID-19 (Video)Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
As the nation navigates the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this film and curriculum offers tools to mitigate the effects of grief, trauma, anxiety, and other emotional stressors affecting both students and…
Featured image for “Responding to Trauma Related Behaviors, Video and Discussion Questions”
Responding to Trauma Related Behaviors, Video and Discussion QuestionsEastern Connecticut State University
When young children have experienced trauma, it affects their behavior and interactions in the classroom. How can early childhood teachers and caregivers respond to trauma-related behaviors in order to best…
Featured image for “Supporting Children Affected by Trauma (Video Series and Discussion Questions)”
Supporting Children Affected by Trauma (Video Series and Discussion Questions)Eastern Connecticut State University
This series is aimed at providing basic awareness to early childhood educators about how experiences with trauma may manifest in the classroom, how educators might respond in the moment to…
Featured image for “Supporting the Grieving Child and Family: Pediatric Mental Health Minute Series (Videos)”
Supporting the Grieving Child and Family: Pediatric Mental Health Minute Series (Videos)American Academy of Pediatrics
The vast majority of children experience the death of a close family member or friend. Bereavement can have a profound and long-term impact on children’s psychological adjustment, academic achievement, and…