The Language and Learning Lab

At 4 years old, kids improve their balance, coordination, and agility with more control over their movements. Learn more about milestones for 48 months.

What does trauma have to do with a child’s behavior?

While adults may have the emotional awareness, cognitive skills, and internal tools to recognize psychological trauma and address it or seek help from a professional, young children do not. This can leave the child in a flight, fight, or even freeze mode – making it challenging to interact socially, “behave” in daycare or school, and feel safe in their environment. This makes it important for the adults in the child’s life to understand what trauma is, the effects it has, and what they can do.

Trauma and Resilience What does trauma have to do with a child’s behavior? While adults may have the emotional awareness, cognitive skills, and internal tools to recognize psychological trauma and address it or seek help from a professional, young children do not. This can leave the child in a flight, fight, or even fr...