Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
C DD076.
Course Title (CB02)
Trauma and Early Childhood Development
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Provides an overview of trauma-informed care in early childhood education, including the impact of trauma on the developing child, protective and resiliency factors, and the benefits and opportunities of partnering families. It explores the impacts of early childhood traumatic experiences on physical, cognitive, and psychological development throughout the lifespan. (This course meets NAEYC Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning & Standard 3: Observing, Documenting and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families.) (This course is aligned with California Early Childhood Educator Competencies 1, 2, 3 & 4. This course is aligned with California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health- Reflective Practice Facilitator I.)
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is a stand-alone course. It is also considered specialization units in Infant/toddler/preschool development under the California Child Development Permit. The course provides students the opportunity to learn about the impact of trauma on the developing child. This course is aligned with California Early Childhood Educator Competencies 1, 2, 3 & 4. This course is aligned with California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health- Reflective Practice Facilitator I.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.59.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
54.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
108.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture, visual aids, presentation slide outlines, research articles, online publications, webcasts, webinars, online videos

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion of related research topics

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Reviews and demonstrations of resource materials and tools for recognizing the impacts of trauma in children and their families

Examples of children’s literature related to trauma presented and discussed

Individual, small group and whole group activities for students to recognize their own past trauma and its impact on their lives

Discussion of case studies and related strategies practiced in class

Assignments

  1. Weekly reading on current research, online articles, webcasts, webinars and videos.
  2. Research paper on critical issues in the impact of early childhood trauma on development
  3. Oral presentation of research report
  4. Observation of audio and or video related to trauma and its impact on children and their families using
  5. Written analysis of the impact of trauma on child development based on observation
  6. Final reflection paper based on course content to demonstrate an understanding of how to identify the impacts of trauma in children and their families

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Participation in class discussions and skills exercises to evaluate ability to demonstrate social-emotional competence (appropriate and effective use of communication skills/strategies and behaviors)
  2. Writing assignment(s) and final exams to evaluate the ability to analyze critically and synthesize course materials and personal experience related to early childhood trauma
  3. Oral presentation to evaluate the ability to critically analyze incidents and demonstrate ability to research and respond effectively and appropriately to early childhood trauma.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Levine, P.A. and Kline, M. (2006) Trauma through a Child's Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing. North Atlantic Books: Berkeley, CA.
http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/parents-caregivers/what-is-cts/12-core-concepts
http://georgiavoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Child_Trauma_2514.pdf

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
National Research Council. From Neurons to Neighborhoods: An Update: Workshop Summary. (2012)
Pelzer, D. The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family (1997)
Trauma Informed Care Training, https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/training/trauma_informed_care
National Center for Trauma-Informed Care and Alternatives to Seclusion and Restraint (NCTIC), https://www.samhsa.gov/nctic
Strengthening Families, http://www.cssp.org/young-children-their-families/strengtheningfamilies
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire, http://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/Finding%20Your%20ACE%20Score.pdf
Nadine Burke Video: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime, https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime
Video: Impact of Early Adversity on Child's Brain, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG4Sejgtxgc
Video: Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urU-a_FsS5Y
Video: Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urU-a_FsS5Y
Harvard video: Using Brain Science to Build a New 2Gen Intervention, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l9_F5igrw4
Audio: Lisa's 911 call, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7J5akhSA8
Family Violence Across the Lifespan -An Introduction Third Edition Barnett, Ola et al

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop an understanding of the effects of trauma during early childhood on health and development across the lifespan
  • Examine the development and function of the brain
  • Examine factors that impact the effects of trauma
  • Examine the impact of sustained or chronic exposure to trauma on child development
  • Develop an understanding of trauma-sensitive practices to promote healthy child development
  • Examine the research on adverse affects experiences and associated health problems in adulthood
  • Develop an understanding of the benefits of partnering with children and families
  • Develop an understanding of barriers to partnering with children and families.
  • Investigate The Protective Factors Framework in relationship to early childhood education settings and professionals

CSLOs

  • Investigate the impact of trauma on physical, cognitive, emotional and psychological development in early childhood.

Outline

  1. Develop an understanding of the effects of trauma during early childhood on health and development across the lifespan
    1. Physical health and development
    2. Cognitive health and development
    3. Emotional health and development
    4. Psychological health, social and emotional development
  2. Examine the development and function of the brain
    1. Structure and function of neuron, synapse, and neurotransmitters
    2. Formation of synaptic connections and pruning
    3. Types of stress: normal, tolerable and toxic
    4. Neuroplasticity
  3. Examine factors that impact the effects of trauma
    1. Nature of trauma
    2. Age of child
    3. Developmental stage
    4. Relationship of victim or perpetrator
    5. Past experience with trauma
    6. Adversities faced following trauma
    7. Availability of help and protection
    8. Chronic and complex trauma
    9. Sensory system of the child
  4. Examine the impact of sustained or chronic exposure to trauma on child development
    1. Attachment
    2. Self-regulation
    3. Learning and focal attention
    4. Executive functioning skills
    5. Working memory
  5. Develop an understanding of trauma-sensitive practices to promote healthy child development
    1. Nurturing and responsive relationships
    2. Safe environments
    3. Predictable routines and schedules
    4. Sensory and emotional literacy
    5. Self-regulation, mindfulness, and managing big emotions
    6. Problem solving
    7. Trauma triggers vs challenging behaviors
  6. Examine the research on adverse affects experiences and associated health problems in adulthood
    1. Adverse Childhood Experiences study
    2. Immune system
    3. Stress response system
    4. Cognitive development
    5. Anxiety, depression, guilt, shame and/or inability to focus
    6. Emotional, immune and metabolic abnormalities
    7. Body disregulation
    8. Hypervigilance
    9. Dissociation
    10. Lack of self-regulation
    11. Negative self-concept
    12. Increased medical conditions
  7. Develop an understanding of the benefits of partnering with children and families
    1. Identifying and building resiliency factors with children and families
    2. Building trust
    3. Creating reciprocity in the relationship
    4. Promoting family buy-in
    5. Tailoring community resources to meet the individual needs of children and families
    6. Building on the family expertise
  8. Develop an understanding of barriers to partnering with children and families.
    1. Logistics: access, time, priorities, child care, transportation
    2. Confidentiality
    3. Stigma
    4. Cultural differences
    5. Money/ lack of resources
    6. Power differential
    7. Handling conflict and challenging conversations
    8. High cumulative risk factors
  9. Investigate The Protective Factors Framework in relationship to early childhood education settings and professionals
    1. Parental resilience
    2. Social connections
    3. Knowledge of parenting and child development
    4. Concrete support in times of need
    5. Social and emotional competence of children
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