Ask an Expert
Related Resources
February 2009Supporting Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Karen
Stephens, Director, Illinois State University Child Care Center
Online Resources
- Young Children Living with Domestic Violence: The Role of Early Childhood Programs
This paper provides practical information and resources for staff working directly with young children and their families in early childhood programs and domestic violence agencies. It also highlights the role that program administrators and the early childhood community can play in supporting staff and strengthening community and state partnerships and policies on behalf of young children and families affected by domestic violence.
http://www.nccev.org/pdfs/series_paper2.pdf - ResilienceNet
ResilienceNet brings together information available through the Internet and conventional published sources about the development and expression of human resilience.
http://resilnet.uiuc.edu - Promoting Resilience: Helping Young Children and Parents Affected by Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Depression in the Context of Welfare Reform
This publication includes three strategies that use early childhood settings as the entry point to serve families affected by substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, and other mental health problems.
http://www.nccp.org./publications/pdf/text_389.pdf - National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV)
The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence Web site includes a Resource Center with links to materials related to children exposed to violence, including domestic violence.
http://www.nccev.org - Child Welfare Information Gateway: Domestic Violence and the Child Welfare System
Child Welfare Information Gateway provides support and information through technical assistance, training, and prevention to organizations and individuals working to end violence in the lives of victims and their children.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/domestic_violence/index.cfm - How to Support a Child Who Has Witnessed Violence
This brief list from the Child Witness to Violence Project suggests ways that care providers can help.
http://www.childwitnesstoviolence.org/how-to-support-the-child.html - Violence and Young Children's Development
One of the most harmful consequences of violence is its effect on the development of children. This digest examines the developmental consequences for children who are the victims of, or witnesses to, family and community violence.
http://resilnet.uiuc.edu/library/wallac94.html - Safe from the Start: Taking Action on Children Exposed to Violence
This publication describes an action plan that outlines principles for preventing and reducing the negative impact of the exposure to violence on children.
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/182789.pdf - Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects
This article defines domestic abuse and includes a list of causes and effects on children.
http://www.aaets.org/article144.htm - Caught in the Crossfire: Children and Domestic Violence
Some children may respond to witnessing or experiencing domestic violence with internalized symptoms such as regression and social isolation. Others may develop externalized negative behaviors that include nightmares, hyperactivity, aggression, and delinquency.
http://www.aaets.org/article162.htm - Questions and Answers About Domestic Violence
How does exposure to domestic violence affect children?
http://www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/QA_Groves_final.pdf - Complex Trauma in Early Childhood
Psychological trauma in early childhood can have a tremendous negative impact because it can distort the infant, toddler, or young child’s social, emotional, neurological, physical, and sensory development.
http://www.aaets.org/article174.htm - Violence Prevention in Early Childhood: How Teachers Can Help
Warm, nurturing relationships with teachers strengthen children’s ability to cope with stress and trauma. Early childhood teachers and other caregivers can be crucial buffers in protecting children from violence and supporting their healthy development.
http://actagainstviolence.apa.org/materials/publications/act/violenceprevention_childhood.pdf - Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
What can be done at school to help a traumatized child? This online publication includes descriptions of the effects and suggestions for the child’s teachers.
http://www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/Child_Trauma_Toolkit_Final.pdf - Psychological and Behavioral Impact of Trauma: Preschool Children
Some children, if given support, will recover within a few weeks or months from the fear and anxiety caused by a traumatic experience. Some children will need more help over a longer period of time in order to heal and may need continuing support from family, teachers, or mental health professionals.
http://www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/preschool_children.pdf - Little Eyes, Little Ears: How Violence against a Mother Shapes Children as They Grow
This online document includes a section related to preschoolers as well as sections on ways to help.
http://www.lfcc.on.ca/little_eyes_little_ears.html
Illinois Early Learning Resources
- What Is the Role of Teachers in Young Children’s Mental Health?
This FAQ points out that caregivers, teachers, and family members all have roles to play in fostering young children’s mental health. Support from caring adults can help most children recover even when very bad things have happened in their lives.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/faqs/mentalhealth.htm - Young Children’s Mental Health: What Is Essential?
This Tip Sheet briefly lists what young children need for good mental health, including safe places to live and play as well as love, care, and comfort from caregivers and family members.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/mental-essential.htm - When Children Mourn
Death is a part of life that affects even very young children. This Tip Sheet notes that though you cannot shield children from grief, you can help guide and comfort them.
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/mourn.htm
Additional Resources
- Garbarino, James. (2008). Children and the dark side of human experience: Confronting global realities and rethinking child development. New York: Springer.
- Geffner, Robert A.; Jaffe, Peter G.; & Sudermann, Marlies (Eds.). (2000). Children exposed to domestic violence. New York: Haworth.
- Groves, Betsy McAlister. (2002). Children who see too much: Lessons from the Child Witness to Violence project. Boston: Beacon Press.
- Peled, Einat; Jaffe, Peter G.; & Edleson Jeffrey L. (1995). Ending the cycle of violence: Community responses to children of battered women. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
-
Resilience among Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: The Role of Risk and Protective Factors
Author(s): Martinez-Torteya, Cecilia; Bogat, G. Anne; von Eye, Alexander; Levendosky, Alytia A.
Source: Child Development, v80 n2 p562-577 Mar-Apr 2009
Publication Date: 2009
This study examined individual and family characteristics that predict resilience among children exposed to domestic violence. Results underscore heterogeneous outcomes among domestic violence-exposed children and the influence of individual and family characteristics on children's adaptation. - Building Peaceable Classroom Communities: Counteracting the Impact of Violence on Young Children
Author(s): Levin, Diane
Source: Child Care Exchange Magazine (Special Beginnings Workshop Section on Early Childhood Classroom Communities), v30 n183 Sep-Oct 2008
Publication Date: 2008
This article is part of a special section related to building community in the classroom. - Child Care for Families Who Are Homeless: A Model of Comprehensive Early Childhood Services
Author(s): Rafanello, Donna
Source: Child Care Information Exchange, n156 p58-64 Mar-Apr 2004
Publication Date: 2004
Poverty, lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, veteran status, mental illness, and addiction disorders are among the factors that contribute to homelessness. This article discusses how child care programs help homeless children and their families live more stable lives. - Domestic Violence and the Impact on Young Children
Author(s): Zinke, Michelle; Zinke, Linda
Source: Child Care Exchange Magazine, v30 n183 p30-34 Sep-Oct 2008
Publication Date: 2008
In this article, the authors explain the causes of domestic violence and its effects on children. They also suggest several steps that early childhood providers can take to support adults and children affected violence. - Early Identification, Prevention, and Early Intervention with Young Children at Risk for Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Issues, Trends, and a Call for Action
Author(s): Conroy, Maureen A.; Brown, William H.
Source: Behavioral Disorders, v29 n3 p224-236 Jun 2004
Publication Date: 2004
Educators have frequently expressed concern about young children who are exposed to known environmental risk factors associated with the development of chronic behavior problems (e.g., poverty, domestic violence, child maltreatment). The authors argue for societal action to change current policies and practices for young children. - Be a Resiliency Mentor: You May Be a Lifesaver for a High-Risk Child
Author(s): Weinreb, M.L.
Source: Young Children, v52, n2, p14-21
Publication Date: 1997
This article describes the specific factors that seem to support children's resilience in the face of multiple risk factors. Early childhood professionals familiar with these factors can help strengthen the protective buffers.
NOTE: There may be publications on this page that are available as PDF (portable document format) files. To be able to read these files, download the free Adobe Reader.
Disclaimer
The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.