Early Childhood Education Commons^™

A Case For Child Life Specialists To Be Trauma-Informed, Kathleen Romano

Graduate Student Independent Studies

According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network [NCTSN] (2003), “trauma occurs when a child experiences an intense event that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being”. Roughly one in four children will experience a traumatic event before the age of sixteen. Due to the prevalence of traumatic events, it is necessary for healthcare professionals to know and understand the implications these experiences may have for children and their families. Child life specialists, who are a part of the interdisciplinary team in hospitals, provide a unique perspective with their knowledge of child development and coping. …

Play As A Social Justice Issue In Early Childhood Education, Britt Kroll

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Play is a vital part of the early childhood experience to develop in cognitive and social-emotional realms. Schools are taking away an important tool for children to process new information and build skills needed for lifelong problem-solving by allowing less time for play in early childhood classrooms. This research combines data gathered to show the unique benefits of play in both cognitive and social-emotional areas, as well as qualitative data collected in a play-based and a non-play-based classroom.

The research defends the importance of play-based learning in early childhood and equips teachers with rationale to use play as a tool …