early adverse experiences
The Important Role of a Nanny as a Consistent Presence to Buffer Against Early Adverse Experiences
A nanny plays a crucial role in providing consistent care, which helps buffer children against adverse experiences by fostering emotional security and stability. This consistent presence allows children to develop strong emotional bonds, enhancing their overall well-being and resilience.
Nannies apply a trauma-informed approach with children by listening, observing children's behavior, developing and maintaining safe and secure emotional connections with children, and engaging in co-regulation to manage children's intense emotions and behaviors.
A professional nanny arranges for professional development addressing trauma and trauma-informed strategies. This professional development builds understanding of trauma and the impact of trauma on children's learning, development, and behavior; provides developmentally appropriate trauma-informed strategies and practices; and supports nannies to consider the impact of trauma when forming expectations and making judgments about children's behavior.
Nannies are mindful of and sensitive to children's lived experiences of adversity and trauma and create a secure and stable environment for children. They foster relationships in which children trust them, are comfortable expressing their emotions, feel supported in calming or regulating their emotions, and feel they can seek help from their nanny when needed. This is important for all children. Still, fostering emotionally connected, secure relationships is especially important for children who have experienced trauma. A professional nanny establishes a predictable schedule and consistent routines, especially while preparing children for changes or transitions in the day. Children who have experienced or are experiencing trauma may need additional support transitioning between activities. Additionally, the nanny arranges for children's basic needs to be met, for example, ensuring that children are provided with appropriate food.
A professional nanny listens to the challenges families share that may affect children's social and emotional development, including major transitions, migration, and shifts in the home environment. Through two-way communication with families, nannies learn about and share observations of children's behavior, interactions, and play. Within the context of trusting relationships, nannies partner with families to identify specific possible stressors and stress responses and what activates a stress response and to determine the child's underlying needs. For example, if separation is a stressor for the child, work with the family to provide additional time and supports for the child.
Nannies observe and document children's behavior, interactions, and play to reflect on children's well-being and gather additional information about how and when children may be experiencing stress.
Nannies foster a strong and healthy support system around children to promote children's health and well-being. As nannies acknowledge that trauma and adversity may be a part of children's lived experiences, they may require additional supports. They can partner with early childhood mental health consultants to enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting the well-being of children and families they work with. These collaborations help nannies plan trauma-informed supports and interventions and identify services and resources for children and their families.
We All Have a Role in Preventing ACEs
Adverse childhood experiences - commonly known as ACEs - affect children and families across all communities.
Learn to Prevent ACEs
ACEs can impact kids' health and well-being. They can have long-term effects on adult health and wellness. Their consequences can affect families, communities, and even society. Thankfully, ACEs are preventable.
You can understand, recognize, and prevent ACEs. You can get the insights you need to create healthier, happier childhoods for kids today and bright futures for adults tomorrow.
Learn about risk and protective factors for ACEs, their outcomes, and strategies affect children and families across all communities.
Understand ACEs and ways to stop them before they start.
