"A child's developing brain is shaped by the relationships and environments a child experiences from the start. If, at a young age, a child cannot predict where, when or how much stress they will experience at any given time, their brains and bodies can become hardwired to react more quickly with a fight, flight, or freeze response. ​By the time they are in school, students who experience childhood trauma may struggle to concentrate, exhibit inappropriate behaviors, and are more likely to fall behind academically.

​Educators and staff in the education field have a unique opportunity to create trauma-informed environments that support children and families."

-Iowa ACEs 360