Emotional Trauma in Children:
What Does It Look Like? How Do We Help?
Children often communicate what they cannot yet put into words.
What looks like defiance may actually be fear.
What appears to be anger may be grief.
What seems like attention-seeking behavior may be a child desperately seeking connection and reassurance.
For children who have experienced trauma, loss, instability, neglect, abuse, or significant life disruptions, emotions often surface in unexpected ways. Sometimes those emotions show up in behaviors that leave caregivers feeling exhausted, discouraged, confused, or unsure how to respond.
The good news is that healing is possible.
When caregivers understand what trauma looks like and learn to respond with connection, empathy, and appropriate support, they can become powerful agents of healing in a child’s life.
This month’s Parent Support Group will explore:
✨ Common signs and symptoms of emotional trauma
✨ Why behaviors are often communication
✨ How trauma impacts relationships, trust, and emotional regulation
✨ Practical tools for helping children feel safe, connected, and understood
✨ Ways caregivers can care for themselves while supporting children through difficult experiences
Whether you are a foster parent, adoptive parent, kinship caregiver, educator, ministry leader, or someone who simply loves and supports children, this conversation will provide valuable insight and encouragement.
🗓️ July 28, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM
💻 Virtual Training
🎤 Trainer: Shelena Bentley
📧 RSVP by July 25
We hope you’ll join us as we learn together and continue equipping families to help children move from surviving to thriving.