Play is not a luxury.
Play is a necessity.
Kay Redfield Jamison, Professor in Mood Disorders and Psychiatry
Do you work with children?
Are you aware of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and the impact of trauma and toxic stress on children?
All people working with children are interested in assisting children towards the best possible outcomes. This is true from the perspective of teaching, nursery, out of school clubs etc. Within these environments children present differently often displaying different behaviours. Historically, and sadly still presently at times, the child is then ‘punished’ by ‘time out’ loss of golden time, removal of privilege, loss of play time BUT what if we adults got curious about behaviour and considered behaviour as communication? What if we changed the term negative behaviour to distressed behaviour?
What if we see behaviour as a symptom of circumstances, experiences, and environments and we explored this to help support the children that need our understanding to help them learn to self regulate? Megan’s has designed training for those working with children to raise awareness of the prevalence of trauma and encourage organisations to begin their journey to become trauma informed and trauma aware.
In whatever setting we work with children, we are aware we have journeyed through a pandemic. This has brought anxieties, loss, bereavement, stress and trauma to all of us. The full impact of living through a pandemic is unknown but according to The Good Childhood Report | The Children's Society (childrenssociety.org.uk) “The Coronavirus pandemic has left many children feeling they lack choices in life.”
Our trauma training enables us to reflect upon this.
“Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.”
Diane Ackerman
We do not fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on children and their families and their wellbeing. It is unclear how COVID-19 and its social, cultural, political, and economic consequences will continue to affect children and young people, families, and organisations over the next few years.
Play Scotland Play Strategy Review - COVID-19 - playscotland.org