Blog

*Disclaimer* This post may trigger some readers, this is NOT my intent. The next two series of posts will focus on “Religion and Culture” as protective factors. This post will focus on “Faith/Religion.” My ACE score is a six and my Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCE) score is a seven. One BCE question reads, “Did you have beliefs that gave you comfort?” Two youth pastors were highly influential non-adult relatives that provided guidance, shelter, and comfort during highly volatile points...

A study published in the JAMA Network on Pediatric research, dated December 12, 2022, found that mobile devices for calming children ages 0-5 decreased executive functioning and increased emotional reactivity (particularly with boys ages 3-5 and keiki with higher tempermental surgency). There are many apps and resources, many that are free that can teach and coach self-regulation, just be sure that they are age and developmentally appropriate. There are many calming activities that we can do...

New Mexico has provided a road map to free childcare for families through innovative legislation. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, is pioneering the way to make New Mexico the first state to provide free childcare for families who are at or below the 400% federal poverty level. This legislation will provide concrete supports in times of need for families who struggle to make ends meet. This is an important protective factor to prevent future trauma from occurring and mitigating...

Each exercise shared in this series addressed a certain age group of a child but can help adults restore and maintain calm as well. I highly encourage you to review each of the segments in this six-part series and see what works for you in various stressful situations. The “4-7-8 breathing exercise” (part 1) is an effective strategy when I am on a plane or before I speak before an audience. The “growing like a tree” (part 3) activity helps when I first wake in the morning as I step out of...

Our Mindfulness Minute Series (5 of 6) looks at the middle school years. As mentioned in the the 2nd installment of this series, the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is highly critical as this is where 85% of the human brain is formed and hopefully healthy, secure and consistent attachment is developed between the child and their caregiver(s). The middle school years are also a critical stage because of the biological and psychological development of your student/child. This is a stage...

Our Mindfulness Minute Series (4 of 6) emphasizes self-regulation and self-awareness for your elementary-aged keiki (child). As I mention in my trainings, the strategies we use to help our keiki, “return to center” are the same strategies we can and should use in our daily lives. Stressed students cannot learn, stressed children have difficulty at home and stressed educators can have difficulty teaching and stressed caregivers . . . well, you see my point. waterford.org “seeks to blend the...

Kilo is the Native Hawaiian art of observation. Through Kilo , we become part of our environment by watching, observing, examining and even forecasting. Children learn best through play. During the developmental stage of a preschool keiki (child), it is important that a child has opportunities to interact with his/her environment. This is when a keiki is beginning the process of scaffolding information to make sense of the world and learn new things. Kilo can be natural for a keiki at this...

85% of our brains are formed in the first 1,000 days of life! Research supports that a child and their caregivers build intimate bonds, emotions are learned and shared at this critical developmental age. In our "Mindfulness Minute Series" we look at the infant/toddler years and building a strong base of support for our little keiki! This article from the good folks at Child Care Resources of Rockland provides a great tip in doing a "body scan" when interacting with your little keiki. Body...

Stressed? Anxious? A little overwhelmed and you havenʻt even stepped out the front door? When are under chronic stress and our stress response system is constantly activated, what is a symptom of stress, becomes a trait or characteristic in which we (or how we may judge others) are viewed. We often respond with the, “worse part of ourselves” as oppose to a “pause and check” which allows us to respond to situations with more clarity from our “higher” brain functions. Over the next serious of...

With the passing of SB2482, Hawaiʻiʻs 2022 by statute has become a Trauma-Informed Care state! Please join us on 11/03/22 at 9:00 a.m., HST, for this free webinar hosted by the Hawaiʻi Childrenʻs Action Network and PACES Connection Hawaiʻi PACES Connection Hawaiʻi. Click here to register. This webinar will cover: What is the "Office of Wellness and Resilience?" A breakdown of SB2482 The power of collective voices in building community resilience The importance of collaborative cross-sector...

New!! 48-HOUR HISTORICAL TRAUMA SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION in collaboration with THE INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRAUMA ASSOCIATION We are the only entity offering a comprehensive, 48-hour Historical Trauma Specialist Certification Program. The Program is broken into 6 levels and is built on a foundation of BIPOC cultures and neurobiology. It is taught from a multicultural perspective, injecting traditions and ideology from various cultures from around the world. In this inclusive study we rely...

Image: Audrey McAvoy/AP Author: To read Devan Cole's article, please click here. Hawaii’s Democratic governor moved to strengthen abortion protections in the state on Tuesday, issuing an executive order prohibiting officials on the islands from cooperating with states attempting to prosecute people who received the procedure legally in his state. “I am issuing an executive order protecting women who seek reproductive healthcare in Hawaii and medical professionals who provide it,” Gov. David...