Child development is a complex and delicate process. Early childhood experiences play an important role in a child’s development. While caregivers cannot control all experiences in a child’s life, they can prepare and assist the child to adapt and overcome in the face of any difficult experiences. When children are exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like neglect, household dysfunction, and abuse, they need a nurturing, safe, and protective environment to help them overcome the trauma and develop effectively. ACEs increase a child’s vulnerability, but they don’t always result in detrimental outcomes. The outcomes are strongly mediated by the child’s environment. Some children experience ACEs in a way that interferes with their growth, education, well-being, and behavior while in other children, resilience and safe environments negate the effects of ACEs.

HOW ACEs Lead to Toxic Stress and Health Risks e1730797191329

The detrimental effects of ACEs can be minimized in childhood if a trustworthy, consistent adult and a safe environment are present. Therefore, secure attachment in childhood can be protective, and preventive. Among children with the same number of ACEs those children who reported affectionate relationships with their parents had lower risk for health and developmental issues. Safe and encouraging surroundings that facilitate play, and exploration, are developmentally conducive.

Resilience:

Children’s resilience is the outcome of opportunity and support, not necessarily an innate hardwiring. When they are given the opportunity to encounter difficult circumstances and are assisted by caring and supportive adults in resolving the situation competently, they acquire confidence to face challenges. Allowing children to handle or resolve problems on their own using their own abilities and techniques that have been accumulated over time is more important than shielding them from all stress and suffering. Resilience grows each time a kid or adolescent gets through a stressful circumstance.

How can caregivers support children’s resilience:

• Fulfil basic needs of the child in a nurturing environment.
• Guidance by parents and teachers through modeling (e.g. children can learn coping skills by observing others).
• Build secure relationships with mutual trust and respect.
• Encourage self-care.
• Encourage change acceptance and positive outlook on life.

How can caregivers provide opportunity:

• Provide social emotional learning opportunities.
• Encourage free play to boost the feelings of success and pleasure.
• Encourage self-discovery and goal setting.
• Help children maintain and follow routine to provide structure to their lives which can in turn provide a sense of comfort.
• Encourage children to help others.