What’s a trigger? A trigger is a reminder of past trauma. It can set off an emotional alarm system, causing feelings of overwhelming sadness, anxiety, or panic.
Common Trauma Triggers
Our capacity to navigate our triggers and recognize them in children is critical to our ability to provide gentle guidance and help kids grow strong.
Common trauma triggers include:
How Kids Respond to Trauma Triggers
A good indicator that trauma has been triggered is when response intensity doesn’t match the intensity of stressors or when behaviors seem confusing or inexplicable.
Look for Emotions Driving Behaviors
When navigating triggers, get curious. Look for the emotions driving behaviors and use mirroring as a tool for supportive conversations.
When we acknowledge we’re aware of children’s feelings & experiences, it’s normalizing. We don’t need to talk them out of their feelings—this kind of recognition is healing.
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