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Hey Reader!
Adversity often shows up early.
Family stress, trauma, poverty, instability—it all impacts the kids in your care. Many of you are in affluent areas where you might think this isn’t an issue…I urge you to look carefully. While you may not see poverty, you most definitely will see stress, instability and trauma in some of the children in your care.
But here’s the good news:
You can be a protective factor. (The info below comes from an amazing book – Overcoming: What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience by Dr. Nicole Wilke – our podcast guest for this week.)
👶 Individual Protective Factors
What they are: Skills that help kids cope—like self-control, confidence, and faith.
This is what YOU can do:
- Teach emotion words during play and through age-appropriate story books.
- Model calm reactions.
- Speak truth: “God is with me when I’m scared.”
- Give simple choices to build confidence.
🏡 Family Protective Factors
What they are: Safe, loving relationships at home.
This is what YOU can do:
- Greet parents warmly.
- Offer a short weekly devotional.
- Share resources without shame.
- Pray with families when invited.
🏘️ Community Protective Factors
What they are: A safe, stable, supportive environment.
This is what YOU can do:
- Display family photos in your classroom. Celebrate culture.
- Become trauma-informed.
- Share stories of hope. Speak life.
💡 Why it matters:
Kids grow stronger when surrounded by love, structure, and faith-filled adults.
You can’t fix everything. But you can be someone who helps a child feel safe, seen, and supported. And research tells us that just ONE supportive person in a child’s life makes a difference!
Scripture to hold on to:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – Jesus in John 16:33
Check out a fantastic conversation with Dr. Nichole Wilke, author of Overcoming:What Scripture & Science Say About Resilience and Caleb Koala’s Comeback Ride about this topic on Youtube!
Cheering you on this week!
-Your ECCN team
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