Children’s lives are directly impacted by exposure to traumatic events. By using a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) lens, we can consider how these traumas are felt unequally across the diverse communities that childcare providers serve. We will examine trauma and resilience, screening tools, look at the research on the impacts of trauma, review a case study, and consider the ongoing traumatic impacts of COVID. We will consider the important roles that childcare providers play in recognizing the signs of traumatic exposure, promoting infant mental health, supporting young children and their families, and creating caregiving environments that support resilience. Understanding the ways that individual’s family history, cultural background, language, home environment, community supports, and heredity play in their development, resilience, and response to trauma will support providers in understanding the strengths of the children and families they serve.
