- The publication gives insight and guidance to support early learning and care services in adopting a trauma-informed approach
- The book was launched by Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman
Barnardos has launched a new book aimed at early years educators and providers during a webinar attended by over 550 professionals from the sector. Trauma and Young Children: Building Trauma Awareness in Early Learning and Care aims to build trauma awareness for early years educators and providers by giving insight and guidance to support early learning and care services adopting a trauma-informed approach.
Launching the book and event, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman warmly welcomed the publication, acknowledging that “early learning and care services play a hugely important role in supporting children and families… who are experiencing traumatic and highly stressful situations.”
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly spoke particularly about the Ukrainian children who have arrived in Ireland and made an appeal to all early years educators to welcome the children with “care, consideration and open hearts.”
Sharon Byrne, Barnardos Early Years Development Coordinator, reflected on the aims of the publication, saying, “We have to get it right for children…a trauma informed approach is good for all children. The healthier a child’s relationships are, the better they will be able to recover from trauma and thrive.”
Esther Pugh, Barnardos Project Leader, shared her experiences of using a trauma informed approach in her service with a child, ‘Katie’, who was displaying signs of toxic stress, highlighting how the approach lessened Katie’s emotional outbursts. Esther emphasised the importance of supporting parents and families, recognising that “parents who have experienced trauma can feel powerless.”
Keynote Speaker Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Research Scientist and Infant Psychologist, spoke about the link between the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and trauma, stating “Covid changed our children because they are growing up in a different world.” She welcomed Barnardos “leadership on building trauma awareness”, saying that it will help drive change for stress management in children and has potential to create a cultural transformation.
You can purchase the book here at a discount of 20% valid until 17 April using the code LAUNCH2022 and watch the event back here.
