Positive childhood experiences (PCEs), which occur before the age of eighteen, have protective effects, helping to heal the brain from trauma as well as promoting positive mental health in adulthood. PCEs are essential for fostering resilience and well-being in children.
The ability to talk with family members about feelings;
The sense that family is supportive during difficult times;
Enjoyment and participation in community traditions;
Feeling a sense of belonging in high school;
Having supportive friendships;
Having a minimum of two non-guardian adults who genuinely care about you;
Feeling safe and protected by an adult in the home.
Research underscores the importance of PCEs in child development. PCEs can mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and contribute to improved long-term health outcomes. Children with multiple PCEs are more likely to develop higher resilience, better mental health, and stronger social skills that hold throughout adulthood. A strong correlation was found between the number of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and adult mental health. While 75% of adults with 3-5 PCEs reported positive mental health, this increased to 90% for those with 5-7 PCEs. This study emphasizes that environments rich in PCEs foster positive developmental trajectories and can effectively buffer against the negative effects of trauma and stress.
It is important for professionals and communities to provide opportunities for Positive Childhood Experiences to happen. Those of us who work with children and families can actively promote these PCEs by implementing several different strategies. Parenting classes can inform parents on the importance of talking with their children about feelings, building relationships, and what it takes to help their children feel safe and protected. Classes like these are also opportunities for children and families to build relationships with others. Building supportive relationships involves connecting children and families with mentors, counselors, or community programs that offer consistent, positive interactions. Facilitating a sense of belonging might involve linking families with community groups or programs that foster support and help families get involved in both the school and community. Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities is another way to help youth feel they belong, build supportive friendships, and be exposed to other caring adults. This can be achieved by providing information about local opportunities and assisting with enrollment processes. Finally, fostering positive social interactions can be supported by organizing social skills workshops or creating opportunities for children to engage with peers in a structured setting. These are just some ideas on ways PCEs can be encountered.
At the community level, we need to come together to ensure these types of opportunities are available to children and families.
Are there programs that discuss physical and emotional safety with families?
Are there parent classes that cover the PCEs topics and are they accessible in all communities?
Does the community have family friendly events?
What mentoring opportunities are there for children and families?
How does the community help families feel like they belong?
What volunteering opportunities are there and how can families get involved?
How can youth build positive relationships with caring adults?
What types of extracurricular activities are available and are they affordable to all children?
These are just some examples of questions to be asked at the community level to ensure children and families are being provided with opportunities to encounter PCEs. When these opportunities are available at the community level, families are supported in building resilience and improving long-term mental health outcomes.
By incorporating these strategies, professionals and communities can create an environment where Positive Childhood Experiences are prevalent, thus supporting children's overall development, resilience, and mental health. This integrated approach helps ensure children have the necessary resources and support to thrive despite any challenges they may face, as well as promoting positive adult mental health.
If you are interested in more information on Positive Childhood Experiences or looking at how your community is providing these opportunities, please join us on August 27th for a virtual workshop or contact Erika Kirchhoff at ekirchhoff@thrivingfamiliesalliance.org.
Comentários