The early years lay the foundation for lifelong mental health and emotional wellbeing. Yet for some infants, this crucial period is shaped by trauma, neglect, or unmet emotional needs, often linked to the parent’s own adverse childhood experiences. Without the right support, these infants may grow up in survival mode, struggling to learn, play, form relationships or feel safe in the world.
But with the right understanding and interventions, recovery and flourishing are possible. This training equips practitioners with evidence-informed relational and therapeutic skills to recognise both traumas of omission (what was missing) and traumas of commission (what happened), and to respond in ways that support healthy development. Through powerful video examples of real-life adult–infant interactions, from babies as young as three months to children aged five, participants will witness deeply moving moments of connection and healing in action.
Course Modules
-
Holding the Beginning: Preventing and Healing Early Trauma Part 1
-
Holding the Beginning: Preventing and Healing Early Trauma Part 2
-
Intergenerational Transfer of Trauma: Prevention & Intervention
-
Communication Skills & Attachment Play: The First Five Years
-
Traumatised Children: Why PACE Heals
-
Supporting Parents to use PACE in Relating to their Child
Learning Outcomes:
- Reduce the impact of early trauma and support recovery
- Help infants feel safe, regulate emotions and develop positive relationships
- Use attuned, empathic interactions to calm, connect and build trust
- Communicate using mental state talk and collaborative sense-making
- Provide enriching sensory and attachment-based play experiences
- Support parents to attune to their child, set healthy boundaries and break cycles of trauma
Total Learning Time: 8hr 20mins
There are 2 assessment options for this course:
Certificate in Early Years Trauma-Responsive Practice
Who it is for:
Early Years staff who wish to demonstrate their practical implementation of skills
Assessment:
- Written assessment: 300 words per module reflecting on key personal take aways and learning
- Presentation: A recorded 15-minute PowerPoint demonstrating the understanding of theory and application of training interventions with under-fives
Cost: £449 (No VAT)
Qualification Received:
Certificate in Early Years Trauma- Responsive Practice
Certificate in Understanding Early Years Trauma-Responsive Practice
Who it is for:
All Early Years staff
Assessment:
- Written assessment only: 300 words per module reflecting on key personal take aways and learning
Cost: £370 (No VAT)
Qualification Received:
Certificate in Understanding Early Years Trauma- Responsive Practice
