I have chosen to do a project on children who are exposed to stress and trauma with a focus on foster families.
I chose this subject because I see more and more children being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.
I am wondering why our youngest population are experiencing such stress and trauma?
I do not think that only children in foster families are those with such such diagnoses, but I would suspect that children who are removed from their original homes are indeed under stress and have witnessed or experienced some type of trauma.
I was once told that trauma, simply stated, is something that is happening to you while you are saying "no" (personal communication, c. green, 2003). Just think how many of us have experienced stress and trauma over a life time?
What makes one child more or less resilient than the other? How do we support children who have experienced trauma in and out of the classroom setting? Are teachers and schools prepared to support these children? Are foster families?
Robin
Hi Robin, When I read your post,I remembered Lia,in the book "The spirit catches you and you fall down',when she was placed in foster care because the parents refused to give her medications to her and how she cried all the time. I then thought about it,supposing she was in my class,how would I have treated her? What such a child needs is tender love,gentle nurturing and words of comfort from the teacher and any other care giver.
ReplyDeleteUduak,
DeleteThanks for making a connection the the book. I bet that time in Lia's life was traumatic to both her and her family.
I agree with you Uduak! Children (and adults too) would benefit from a gentle nurturing and compassionate teacher!
Robin
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteAs I read your post, I wondered if the increase in children experiencing trauma is do to an actual increase or a growing awareness of the problem in our society and willingness to seek help.... Either way, this is an incredibly important topic that deserves our attention. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your project.. By the way, I love your blog formatting... the colors, photos, etc. looks great!
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI agree! I am sure the increased awareness has indeed encouraged others to seek support.
I do think that it is an important topic to investigate because over the the past 5 years, in my classroom alone, I have seen a huge change in children.
Robin
Robin,
ReplyDeleteThese are great questions! I think your topic and potential research is of great value to a significant portion of our student population. I am looking forward for the results of your research. Thanks!
Robin,
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your reference to our book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.
As I read your post, I thought about how "broken" and traumatizing we usually perceive our foster care system to be in the United States. Then I thought about the foster care plaecment for Lia Lee described in the book. Even as I read the story, I found it interesting that even though the situation was traumatic for Lia, and even more traumatic for her parents, the foster mother in the story was portrayed in a fairly positive light. I think it is a very interesting question that you pose. Are foster parents REALLY prepared to help children who have experienced severe trauma, attachment disruptions, or other special needs? If so, who is preparing them? When? How? If not, how can we advocate for additional training and support for foster parents in their role of supporting these very vulnerable, yet often very resilient children?
<3 Melissa