Babies and small children are entirely dependent on their caregivers. They can’t feed themselves, clothe themselves, or communicate fluently. Thankfully, many children grow up with people who care for them, who can feed them when they’re hungry and provide comfort when they cry. They learn to trust that someone will be there for them and help meet their needs. For some kids who grow up in situations where the development of this trust is absent or disrupted, there can be profound long-term implications, even into adulthood.
This disruption is often the result of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), things like
neglect, physical or emotional abuse, or profoundly dysfunctional households.
Childhood emotional and attachment development appears to be heavily dependent on
sequences and milestones being reached. As adults, caregivers, parents, teachers, and more, I believe we owe children our best efforts to ensure they all have their needs met. We may have different roles in their lives day-to-day, but all children deserve to have food to eat, a place to sleep, clean clothes, and safe places to be.
As I rapidly approach parenthood, my thoughts and values about children feel more
present and front-of-mind, but I have always had strong beliefs about the rights of children. I’m pretty heavily influenced by Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street, and Raffi. My sources of inspiration include more sophistication today, but these provided a strong foundation of respect and care for youth. Consider some of these resources to learn more about trauma and the effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences on youth, understand our obligations and commitments to children, and a potential topic for activism that I have taken up recently (Juvenile life without parole.)
~Ian Van Sice
Trust-Based Relational Intervention
Raffi Foundation for Child Honoring
Sesame Workshop Resources
Juvenile Life Without Parole: An Overview
