Top Highlights

• Trauma happens when an intense experience stuns a child like a bolt out of the blue; it overwhelms the child, leaving him altered and disconnected from his body, mind and spirit. Any coping mechanisms the child may have had are undermined, and he feels utterly helpless. It is as if his legs are knocked out from under him. Trauma can also be the res...
• Trauma is the antithesis of empowerment.
• Fear of Our Own Reactions When a child or adult is uncomfortable with what is happening inside them (their inner sensations and feelings), the very responses that are meant to give a physical advantage can become downright frightening. This is especially true when, due to size, age or other vulnerabilities, one is either unable to move or it would ...
• when adults learn and practice the simple emotional first aid tools we offer, they are also making a pivotal contribution to healthy brain development and behavior in their children.
• The Recipe for Resilience As we explained earlier in this chapter, whether a child remains distressed or bounces back with resilience depends on what happens during and/or after the threat. You have learned that to avoid being traumatized, the excess energy that your child mobilized in a failed attempt to protect or defend himself must be accessed ...