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Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Your Best Life: Supporting Children Through Trauma
NEWTON, Mass. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Trauma can leave deep scars on children, impacting them in ways that aren't always visible. But how children react to trauma varies from child to child. Families and communities are navigating the healing process and help children build resilience for the future. Every day, children face experiences that can change their lives. 'Trauma appears to be very different, has very different signs and symptoms depending on the age of the child,' said developmental psychologist Jessica Dym Bartlett, PhD. Younger children may become clingy or lose skills. Older kids may withdraw or show anger. 'It affects their brain development directly, affects their ability to handle stress and cope with stress in the future,' Bartlett explained. Parents play a key role in healing. 'So, it has a lot to do with how parents self-regulate, and it has to do with creating positive experiences, keeping their children busy, helping them to self-regulate, meaning manage their own emotions,' said Bartlett. Start by validating your child's feelings, let them know they are safe and that they are not alone. And beyond family support, communities play a crucial role. In crisis situations — whether it's a natural disaster or a violent incident at home — first responders are often the first point of contact. That's why many police departments are now working with trauma-informed specialists. 'When there's kids involved, sometimes they don't have the training or just the time to really address the trauma that the child may be facing. So that's where we can step in,' said Haydi Franco, project director for the Trauma-Informed Policing Center. These liaisons don't just respond in moments of crisis — they also help families prepare for future emergencies. 'They bring that calming factor when they come into the households,' said police officer Wally Pognon. That early support can be the first step in helping a child rebuild their sense of safety and control. But the most important thing parents can do? Provide consistency — making sure their children feel supported, heard, and safe as they process their trauma. Experts emphasize the importance of preparing children emotionally for potential future events, like hurricanes or wildfires, which are now exacerbated by a warming climate, by discussing emergency plans and reinforcing coping skills. Parents can help by involving children in simple preparedness activities — such as packing an emergency kit, identifying safe meeting places, and role-playing different scenarios. Teaching kids basic problem-solving skills and helping them develop a sense of control over their environment can reduce anxiety and build resilience. Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Executive Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; and Bob Walko, Editor. Produced by Child Trends News Service in partnership with Ivanhoe Broadcast News and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). To receive a free weekly e-mail on positive parenting from Ivanhoe, sign up at: If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ Sponsored by AGEWELL Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Best Life: Impact of Wildfires on Little Lungs
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Months have passed since firefighters contained the devastating wildfires that raged across 40,000 acres of the greater Los Angeles area — a swath of land larger than the city of San Francisco. The fires left behind a trail of destruction, burned buildings, demolished homes, and miles of scorched earth. As the community begins the long process of rebuilding, the long-term health impacts of these wildfires on millions of men, women and children are only now beginning to emerge. Recovery from the devastating California wildfires will take years and its health impact could last a lifetime. 'Wildfire smoke, we estimate to be about 10 times as toxic as the regular air pollution we're breathing,' said Stanford pediatrician Lisa Patel, MD. She says wildfires produce a range of harmful air pollutants. 'It's different because when a house or a car goes up in flames with it, go all the chemicals that get aerosolized as well. And so, we're breathing in things that are potentially carcinogenic and much more toxic,' Dr. Patel explained. Particulate matter or PM is the main pollutant of concern — they're so small, PM's can get deep into the lungs and pass into the blood stream. It's especially dangerous for children. Teenagers exposed are at a higher risk for depression. Younger children are at higher risk for breathing problems because their airways are smaller, and their lungs are developing quickly. As for babies before birth? 'There are more and more studies coming out about the exposure to wildfires and your risk of things like preterm birth, low birth weight infants,' stated Dr. Patel. What should parents do? Check your local air quality index daily, if there is smoke in your area, don't go outside, and if you do, use a NIOSH-approved N95 mask, and to keep your house safe, use a CARB-certified air cleaner to reduce indoor particles. And most importantly, 'If it's a day where it shows to take precautions, really take those precautions,' implored Dr. Patel. If you don't live in an area at risk of wildfires, you still need to be aware of the risks. Even far from a fire, smoke can travel and affect your family's health. Smoke from the wildfires in Canada in 2023 darkened the skies in Chicago and New York City, but did you know that it also made its way across the Atlantic and impacted people 2,000 miles away in Europe? And one more thing to think about — while you're planning to keep your family safe, don't forget about fido. Pets can also be impacted by wildfire smoke. So, if you can, be sure to bring them indoors during dangerous air quality days. Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Executive Producer; Joe Alexander, Videographer; and Bob Walko, Editor. Produced by Child Trends News Service in partnership with Ivanhoe Broadcast News and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). To receive a free weekly e-mail on positive parenting from Ivanhoe, sign up at: Sources: California fires: Facts, FAQs, and how to help If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ Sponsored by AGEWELL Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
