• Headaches
• Stomach aches and other physical complaints.
• Trouble sleeping or oversleeping
• Experiencing nightmares or flashbacks
• Panic attacks
• Signs of self-harm like scratches, scabs, cuts
• Hair pulling
• PTSD

• Strong emotional responses like anxiety, fear, overcautiousness, anger, shame
• Irritability
• Reduced self-esteem and self-belief
• Anxiety and depression
• Engaging in out-of-character behaviors

• Changes in focus
• Change in ability to process information
• Difficulty with memory, attention, and functioning skills
• Increased risky behaviors
• Withdrawal
• Codependency
• Changes in needing approval from others or fears of disapproval
• Changes in the ability to make simple decisions, like what they want to eat

Many emerging studies suggest that global events like COVID-19 have taken their toll on the mental health of our children because of family financial worries, enforced quarantines, school closures, lack of control, and the loss of loved ones. Other global traumatic experiences affecting kids' coping ability include the aftermath of 9/11, natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, floods, mass shootings, school shootings, and war, especially in a world where information is readily available.

Kids are much more observant than we think and can pick up on events and emotions around them, whether consciously or not. This ability begins at around two years old. Therefore they are aware of the stressful events and life changes around them, even if they aren't actively participating. This trauma stress can be from but not excluded to moving around, leaving friends, divorce, domestic violence, abuse, breakups, loss, financial worries, changing schools, and bullying.

Kids who experience physical or sexual abuse are more likely to develop traumatic stress responses, resulting in but not exclusive to shame, guilt, and low self-belief, including PTSD and difficulty trusting others. Neglect, where a child's needs for supervision, food, shelter, attention, clothing, and medical care are unmet, can also cause CTS, especially if it is chronic and ongoing.

Losing a loved one or someone you know is especially hard for kids because they are still growing and understanding, making it more difficult for them to process grief, especially if they died unexpectedly or in a traumatic event.

Children can experience childhood traumatic stress in various cultural or historical contexts. Some examples could include growing up in poverty or social inequality, experiencing war, displacement, or migration. In some cultures, certain topics might be taboo or practices normalized. However, providing culturally sensitive support in these cases is very important.

It's also important to recognize that historical trauma, such as the legacy of colonialism or systemic racism, can impact entire communities and families. Racial violence and discrimination, such as police brutality and hate crimes, can profoundly impact children's mental health and well-being, particularly for children of color and BIPOC.

Intergenerational trauma is the passing of trauma from one generation to the next. This kind of trauma can affect whole communities or individuals. Studies have researched whether intergenerational trauma can be passed on through genes by looking at whether the ancestors of Holocaust survivors are more likely to suffer stress.

Medical procedures or traumatic medical events can cause childhood trauma, especially if it's repeated or over long periods. Those with chronic illnesses as kids who have to be in and out of the hospital. As well as being separated from parents or caregivers, anxiety and fear of lack of control and body autonomy, pain, stress, and lack of understanding because of age and explanation.

These word and letter games involve saying a word and having the child say the first word that comes to mind. This can help children make connections between their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

The window of tolerance can be tricky for younger kids to understand, but adults can explain it with a simple analogy. To explain the window of tolerance to kids, you can use the example of a car. Like a car engine, our bodies and minds need to be in the right zone to work properly. For a kid-friendly explanation, you can check out Tracy Farrell's video reimagining the window of tolerance.

Encourage children to tell stories about their experiences or create stories with characters who face similar challenges. This can help them process their experiences and feel more in control of their narrative.

This type of therapy with a mental health professional involves using toys and other play materials to create a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their emotions and experiences. This can be particularly helpful for children with difficulty discussing themselves and what they have been through. Some places to look for licensed professionals include the APT (US), PTI (International), or American Psychological Association.

Meditation can be a helpful tool for kids to learn how to manage stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions because it has been shown to reduce hormone cortisol levels. Keep it simple and relevant when teaching meditation skills and breathwork to kids. You can make it fun with guided meditations at bedtime or try the Headspace for Kids app.

If your child has experienced trauma leading to stress, it's important to seek professional help to ensure they receive the appropriate care and support. For a list of certified professionals who engage with child trauma work in the U.S., contact the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

A wonderful book for parents, educators, social workers, and caregivers from neuropsychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offers a different approach to fostering healthy brain development and helping adults understand how a child's brain is wired and grows.

The NCTSN is a mental health provider project created from the 2000 Children’s Health Act. They work on raising standards of care and increasing access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. They offer user-friendly resources in English and Spanish and online e-courses for mental health professionals.

If you are struggling with how to talk to a child after a traumatic event and need advice on what to say, SAMHSA has created this useful guide for educators and parents.

Beacon House is a UK-based therapeutic service and clinic with a special interest in repairing the effects of trauma and attachment during challenging times. For educators and parents not UK-based, they offer tons of informative resources, gentle reminders for how educators can help students, as well as free animation videos based on mental health, early trauma, and behavioral therapy techniques.

Created by the Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma, this podcast of 27 episodes is a great resource for parents or caregivers with helpful advice on understanding childhood trauma and therapeutic parenting from real people and professionals.