Early Childhood Trauma
Early childhood trauma is an experience or series of experiences between the ages of 0-6 that are perceived by a child as overwhelming and distressing and exceed their ability to cope.¹ The event or series of events are often dangerous and scary, and a child does not need to directly witness this event but instead may hear about it in great detail.² These traumatic events can lead to both physical and psychological short-term and long-term effects.³
Examples of Traumatic Experiences
Not all children who experience trauma will display symptoms of trauma. The child must perceive the event as overwhelming and distressing. What is traumatic for one child in one context at one age might not be for another child.
What makes early childhood trauma unique?
Making Sense of Stimuli
Young children often have a hard time reasoning through and making sense of the frightening stimuli and what has happened to them.⁴ This is why if re-experiencing of the traumatic event happens through dreams, young children are more likely to have non-specific nightmares.⁵
Increased Vulnerability
Young children are often solely reliant on their caregiver for survival even if the caregiver is the source of the trauma. They are often unable to anticipate danger and manage their own safety as adults can.⁷ Young children's brains are developing rapidly and are very plastic, so damage during this time can increase the risk for more severe problems down the road.⁸
Limited Understanding of Cause and Effect
Young children often believe that they did something to deserve the trauma and therefore are to blame. They may also believe they can manifest their thoughts and fears into the world, causing the traumatic event.⁶
Limited Communication
Young children are not yet equipped with the communication skills to portray their complex thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Preschoolers haven't developed the language to talk about fears or feelings of helplessness, making identification of trauma reactions very difficult.⁹
¹ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/early-childhood-trauma
² http://cctasi.northwestern.edu/family/child-trauma/
⁴ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/early-childhood-trauma/effects
⁵ Dr. Olson Lecture Psychology 373 University of Michigan
⁶ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/early-childhood-trauma/effects
⁷ https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/early-childhood-trauma/effects