ECDV 161 - Adversity, Trauma, and Resiliency in Childhood

3 Credit: (3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 clinical) 3 Contact Hours: [PSYC 120 ]

This course provides a comprehensive review of adverse situations and events that cause stress and/or trauma in children including grief, societal violence, bullying, school violence, war, deployment and loss, abuse and maltreatment, domestic violence, parental mental illness, economic and environmental stressors, displacement, and natural disasters. Students will explore the characteristics and signs of stress/trauma; the effects of trauma on development; resiliency factors; methods to enhance resiliency; and trauma resolution techniques.
OFFERED: fall and spring semesters

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the various situations that cause childhood adversity

Articulate the situations that cause stress/trauma at the individual, family, and community levels
Describe how stress and trauma differ
Discuss situations that cause stress in children 0-18
Identify and explain acute, chronic, and compound stressors
Apply concepts of stress, trauma, and resilience to work with young children.

Goal 2: Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of adversity on cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in children, and the characteristics, habits, and identifying behaviors of trauma

Summarize grief in children by cognitive stage
Describe the effect of fear on overall development
Discuss how a child’s developmental characteristics influence his or her perception of stressful situations
Articulate symptoms of children who are experiencing stress and signs of trauma
Explain how previous life circumstances affect responses to current or new trauma/stress

Goal 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the effect of secondary trauma on adults

Describe the signs of secondary trauma in adults
Discuss self-care techniques, and articulate the importance of incorporating them
Articulate challenges to preventing secondary or vicarious trauma
Explain how previous life circumstances affect adult responses to caring for children with trauma

Goal 4: Demonstrate an understanding of resiliency factors

Describe individual resiliency factors
Discuss the effects of early, consistent, responsive care on resilience
Articulate the importance of family resiliency factors
Explain the cumulative effects of resiliency factors at the individual, family, and community levels

Goal 5: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of models that enhance resiliency in children

Describe the importance of adults as models and adult/child interactions in promoting resiliency
Articulate understanding of the impact of altruistic urges and story reframing on resiliency
Summarize the importance of social-emotional learning as a tool to enhance resiliency
Explain the role problem solving and decision making in enhancing resiliency
Identify the resources available to assist adults in enhancing resiliency and reducing stress in children

Goal 6: Demonstrate an understanding of trauma resolution techniques

Explain the importance of helping children tell his/her unique story
Discuss types of play that allow children to release aspects of trauma
Describe how work with dreams, visualizations, and memories can help with trauma resolution
Identify the benefits of writing, drawing, discussion, and other forms of expression in trauma resolution