A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens the life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. Children who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, may show signs of traumatic stress, psychological and physical reactions that can persist and negatively affect their day-to-day functioning long after the event. Traumatic stress reactions can include a variety of responses, such as depressive symptoms or anxiety, behavioral changes, attention and academic difficulties, nightmares, and physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. Risk and protective factors at the child, family, and community levels can affect the adverse impact of trauma. With treatment, children can learn how to heal, cope, and thrive despite their experiences. The NCTSN provides information about child trauma, resources to support children, families, and communities who have experienced trauma and resources to help child-serving professionals (e.g. child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, school personnel, healthcare providers, and policy makers) provide better care to these children.

Early Childhood Trauma
Offers details on how early childhood trauma is unique, the scope of the problem, as well as the symptoms and behaviors associated with exposure to trauma at an early age. This guide describes protective factors for building resilience, how to identify and provide services to young children as well as treatment, and provides guidance for helping families and caregivers.

Attachment Vitamins: Interactive Course on Early Childhood Attachment, Stress, and Trauma
Helps learners support children and families through the early years of a child’s life. This course offers ways to create a trauma lens through which providers and parents can view and better support young children as they grow and learn. In these interactive lessons, learners will walk through concepts such as understanding a child’s context, what attachment is, temperament and parenting style, trauma exposure in young children, mental health concerns, cultural considerations, and self-care tips.

The Impact of Interpersonal Trauma in Early Childhood and Ways We Can All Help
Discusses the impact of trauma and young children including its impact of brain development; its impact on social, emotional, and cognitive development; and its impact on parent-child relationship and parenting dynamics. Dr. Reyes also describes trauma-informed interventions, common factors in most trauma treatments, and ways that providers can promote empowerment, hope, and safety.

Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
Describes how young children, school-age children, and adolescents react to traumatic events and offers suggestions on how parents and caregivers can help and support them.

Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma: An Introduction and Overview
Provides an introduction and overview to the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma (CCCT). This fact sheet offers information on the CCCT including its strengths-based approach, learning objectives, its elements, and its case studies. It also provides information on the 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families, problem-based learning, and instructional tools.

The 12 Core Concepts: Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families
Outlines and describes The 12 Core Concepts: Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families.

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.

Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit
Supports caseworkers, supervisors, and all other levels of the child welfare workforce in implementing trauma-informed knowledge and skills in their daily interactions, professional services and organizational culture. The third edition of the Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit (CWTTT) incorporates two foundational trainings, a specialized skills training for supervisors and caseworkers, and a supervisor consultation series to enhance transfer of learning into day-to-day practice.