Center for Adult and Continuing Studies

Course Description

10 Steps to Create Trauma-Informed Resilient Early Childhood Care is a trauma certification program for early childhood specialists. Presented by Dr. Caelan Soma, it provides detailed information and actionable steps to help create a supportive environment for preschool students and the professionals who work with them. This program not only explains the “why” but also offers guidance on the “how” to improve the overall care provided. By completing this certification, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how stress and trauma affect children, and you’ll also acquire practical tools and resources to offer effective support.

This course will be most beneficial for those working with pre-K children such as preschool educators and other interdisciplinary professionals, childcare specialists, childcare center directors, teacher's assistants, or administrative assistants.

10 Steps to a Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Focused Early Childhood Care is offered in partnership with Starr Commonwealth, a global leader in trauma-informed care. Starr's mission is to lead with courage to create positive experiences so that all children, families, and communities flourish.

Objectives

After participants have completed this course, they will be able to:

1. Identify at least five questions to ask to promote a trauma-informed and resilience-focused mindset, when working with youth.
2. Name the four main protective factors of resilient youth.
3. Describe how trauma impacts the deep and outer brain functions.
4. Describe the concept of private logic and provide at least two examples of how private logic impacts behavior.
5. Discuss the polyvagal theory as it relates to trauma and resilience.
6. Name at least one reason epigenetics is important to trauma practitioners.
7. Discuss how safety is maintained when implementing the SITCAP® model.
8. Identify at least three examples of sensory-based interventions for youth that can be used in response to crisis and/or for psychological first aid.