Traumatic Experience in Infancy: How Responses to Stress Affect Development

I'm often humbled as I listen to some of the sad situations that children and families are experiencing.  As I read this article about the impact of traumatic stress on very young children, any of you could have been sharing a similar story. The work confirms the importance of sensitive and caring adults who can recognize and support the child's expression of trauma- induced stress.  This comes from the Zero to Three Journal.

http://main.zerotothree.org/site/DocServer/31-1_Witten.pdf?docID=13401

Mental Health Awarenesss Day

Wednesday, May 9 is Mental Health Awareness Day.  Have you ever checked out Center for Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation website at http://www.ecmhc.org/index.html  ?  There is some great information about Temperament and even a tool that can be completed by caregivers to help determine "goodness of fit" between the child and the adult.  There are even outcomes and recommendations.  Try it with your daughter or daughter-in-law and those grandbabies, women!  A great way to become familiar with the tool and have someone to practice on before trying it with a client. 
There is also a link on the site to stress reduction and relaxation!  Who doesn't need that?  Take the time during Mental Health week to refresh and remind yourself how to keep stress in perspective.  Do you know what I did this weekend to relax?  I had a manicure and pedicure.  Gotta love it!