YSO Academy

In any early childhood setting, some of the children you work with have already experienced trauma. They may not be able to name it or describe it — but they show it every day in their behavior, their development, and their emotional responses.

The challenge is knowing what you're looking at.

This course gives you a clear, grounded foundation for understanding childhood trauma in the early years. You'll start with a careful definition of what trauma actually is — and what it isn't, which is just as important. Then you'll explore its effects across three critical dimensions: developmental milestones, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning.

Six detailed case studies walk you through realistic early childhood scenarios, with reflection prompts and discussion after each one to help you build the practical judgment that classroom experience alone can't always provide.

You'll finish the course with a quick-reference handout and a much clearer ability to see the children in your care — not just their behavior, but the story behind it.