The University of Pittsburgh’s Theiss Training Center will host a series titled Becoming Trauma Aware, Informed, and Proficient from January to March and from May to June.
The center’s online course on trauma is designed for professionals working with young children and their families in early childhood settings. The series will be offered periodically and each can be taken as a standalone course or participants can attend all three.
Microsoft Teams links will be shared with participants after they register for the courses.
Becoming Trauma Aware discusses how the path to becoming trauma proficient begins with a basic understanding of trauma and what young children’s reaction to trauma can look like in the context of their play and behaviors. The session will lay the foundation for understanding trauma by developing an awareness of what it is and how it reveals itself.
Becoming Trauma Informed will take a step back to look at recent understanding of early brain development. It will share how babies’ brains develop in tandem with close relationship building, how trauma disrupts relationships and the building of brain architecture during this stage, and how strong relationships can build resilience.
Toward Trauma Proficiency applies information presented in the second session. Looking at a case study, the group will analyze trauma and relationship information that may indicate early traumatic experiences impacting the child’s current psychological functioning. It will then assess behaviors presented to identify classroom strengths that support children whose needs are met and understand how to identify children whose history and behaviors may indicate a need to refer for services.
The three courses will be presented from January to March and again from May to June. The course listings include:
One event on January 29, 2025 at 8:00 am
One event on February 12, 2025 at 8:00 am
One event on May 8, 2025 at 6:00 pm
One event on May 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm
One event on June 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm
