Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Care in the Early Years

What is trauma, and what scope of it is concerning during the early years?

Trauma is often thought of as a major disruption in a child’s life, but it can also include smaller events. These might be losing a favourite toy, experiencing a big move, parental separation, relocating to another country, or being bullied. Trauma is NOT defined by its scope against our adult understanding. It is how the child experiences and responds to the event, and the support they receive in processing it. 

This professional development workshop equips early childhood educators with the knowledge and skills to integrate trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices into daily work with young children. Participants explore how early experiences, including trauma, influence brain development, emotional regulation, and learning. Using a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) lens, the workshop provides strategies to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for all children. Indigenous perspectives on child well-being—emphasizing community, land, storytelling, and intergenerational relationships—are woven throughout.

​Through discussions, case study analysis, environment audits, and collaborative planning, participants learn to foster resilience, belonging, and equity. Suitable for educators in group child care, family child care, or school-age care settings, the workshop concludes with a personalized plan for embedding trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices, along with resources for ongoing professional reflection.

Hour Breakdown One-Day or Multi-day Series Workshop (6 Hours) 

Time	Topic	Content
1 Hour	Understanding Trauma in Early Childhood	Brain development, toxic stress, impacts on learning and behaviour
1 Hour	Trauma-Informed Principles	Safety, trust, empowerment, choice
1 Hour	Indigenous Perspectives on Well-Being	Connection to land, storytelling, and community care
1.5 Hour	Strategies in Practice	Classroom routines, environment design, and emotional regulation support
1 Hour	Family and Community Partnerships	Communication, advocacy and cultural safety
0.5 Hour	Reflection & Action Planning​	Individual plans, resource sharing

Learning Assessment

• Participation in discussions and activities (case study analysis, environment audit)
  
• Completion of an action plan that demonstrates application of trauma-informed and culturally responsive strategies in their own setting
• Peer feedback session on strategies and ideas

Instructor's Qualifications

• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, UBC
• Adult Education, UBC
• Current ECE, Infant/Toddler, and Special Needs certification in BC
• Three decades of experience working with children from birth to 5 in inclusive settings
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, UDL principles, and Indigenous cultural safety
• Experience facilitating adult learning in the ECE field
• Cultural humility and ongoing engagement in professional development
• Click here to read more about the instructor, About Zara ​

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