Psychologists frequently use the words “toxic stress” to describe what prolonged adversity does to our brain, especially the developing brains of children.
Without adult support, toxic stress can significantly and negatively impact a child. Knowing this, I can’t help but wonder if stress in our homes in the middle of a pandemic. For some children, homes can be environments with fear, confusion and conflict.
I question what our children are hearing. We should be asking ourselves: