Be a Sensory Detective for Your Child at School

Secure environments in the school have more to do with emotional safety verses physical safety. Most children easily feel physically safe in school. Emotional safety may be much more difficult to obtain, especially for children with trauma histories. It is imperative to understand that the brains of children with trauma histories operate differently. They are susceptible to any number of external stimuli that can trigger fear. These triggers can be connected to traumatic events that date as far back as birth. Normal, everyday stimuli in the environment may not be normal for traumatized children. Noises, lights, movements, temperature, smells and transitions can easily be over looked and then your child gets punished for an emotional reaction they have no control over. Remember that stress causes confused and distorted thinking and suppresses short term memory. This interferes with learning and contributes to negative behaviors and attitudes. Be an advocate for your child in the school. More resources available at http://bit.ly/pBwc85

Hearing From God

I find it interesting how God affirms what we do in our lives. This month I have been writing about forgiveness. October’s Love in Action Newsletter will have more on forgiveness. Sunday was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. That whole event and how it has affected our country speaks to the need for forgiveness. At church this morning the sermon focused on Philippians 1:1-6. The Apostle Paul talks about thanksgiving and prayer. These are important if w are to ever get to a place of forgiveness. We watched a testimony of the wife of a pilot whose plane crashed into one of the twin towers. Out entire congregation was in tears. She took what was meant for evil and has turned it into good for her life. Find out more about forgiveness in my August, 2011 Love in Action Newsletter http://bit.ly/njHTGd