Healing Preschool Children After Natural Disasters With Play & Optimism, by Ant Toombs Sr.

In every community, 1 in 3 children experience some form of life-threatening adversity like homelessness, abuse, violence or a natural disaster. Research shows that a positive relationship with just one caring adult in early childhood can change that child’s life entirely. As an early childhood educator, you are in a prime position to establish strong positive relationships to support young children before, during, and after critical experiences.

Join trauma counselor and founding member of The Playmaker Project, Anthony (Ant) Toombs Sr., to learn how to build relationships with children to overcome the impacts of early childhood adversity. Ant and his team at the Playmaker Project have boiled down 30+ years of field experience into a 4-step framework for building corrective play experiences that help early childhood professionals develop healing relationships with children. In this thoughtful, fun, and informative presentation, you will explore ways to enhance joyfulness, social connection, internal control, and active engagement in your work with kids and walk away with concrete tools to apply immediately.

In this engaging webinar, you will:

• Discover the power you have as a caregiver in building life-changing relationships with the children you serve and feel validated & energized in the essential work that you do regardless of the circumstance.

• Deepen your understanding of the consequences of adverse childhood experiences on brain development, social-emotional development, and physical health.

• Learn strategies, frameworks, and tools for creating corrective, healing environments & experiences that are safe/empowering, connecting, joyful, and engaging.