Supporting Young Children to Cope, Build Resilience, and Heal from Trauma through Play

Now more than ever, there is a need for early childhood professionals to comprehensively integrate trauma-sensitive practices into their work with children and families. This essential resource offers instructional strategies teachers can use daily to support their students dealing with trauma in early learning environments.

Julie Nicholson, PhD, is a Professor of Practice, Associate Editor of Early Child Development and Care, author, international speaker/trainer, and MBA candidate (2023) concentrating on finance and data analytics. Julie Kurtz, MS, is an author and national speaker consulting and training on trauma and resilience. Julie is the founder and CEO of the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®.

Introduction 1. Learning to Observe and Value the Stories Children Tell Us through Play 2. Building Consistent, Attuned, and Responsive Relationships with Young Children through Play 3. Arranging the Environment to Reduce Children's Stress and Support Healing through Play 4. Play-Based Instructional Strategies that Support Children to Cope, Build Resilience, and Heal from Toxic Stress and Trauma 5. Case Studies of the Power of Play to Support Children's Stress Reduction, Resilience, and Healing