Resilience: Preparing Children to Weather Traumatic Events

Resilience: Preparing Children to Weather Traumatic Events

Author: Ethical Schools April 29, 2025 Duration: 32:41
We speak with Dr. Tovah P. Klein, professor of psychology at Barnard College and the director of the Center for Toddler Development, about her book, “Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.” Dr. Klein describes how parents and teachers should build children's resilience BEFORE anything frightening or traumatic occurs. Most importantly, children and teens need to know they will never be alone, that their parents or trusted adults will always be there for them. Overview00:00-00:38 Intros 00:38-02:12 Building resilience proactively 02:12-04:22 Responding to traumatic situations at school 04:22-09:18 Five Pillars of Children’s Resilience 09:18-10:51 School environments that support resilience 10:51-12:48 How teachers can prepare to respond calmly to their own triggers 12:48-16:52 Responding to the temptations of screens 16:52-20:56 Secrets, including how to handle necessary secrets 20:56-24:20 Dealing with fears and threatening situations 24:20-27:36 What schools can do 27:36-30:50 Allowing kids to ask 30:50- OutroTranscriptClick here to see the full transcription of this episode. References Book "Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty" Dr. Tovah P. Klein Barnard Toddler Center Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Ethical Schools
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