While our brains continue developing well up until our mid-to-late 20s, most of our brain development takes place during our childhood years. This leaves the brain particularly vulnerable to lifelong impacts of trauma and frequent high-stress experiences. However, these adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be mitigated — when parents, caregivers and the community prioritize creating positive childhood experiences (PCEs).

Positive childhood experiences can impact long-term resilience by encouraging normal development and helping children and teens grow up to have good mental health as adults. Discover what positive childhood experiences are and why they’re so important.

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences

Before detailing the impact of positive childhood experiences, we must first understand the negative health effects and outcomes of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Childhood trauma increases the risk for seven out of ten of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to research by the Burke Foundation.

In high doses, ACEs impact brain development, the immune system, hormonal systems and even our DNA. Children who are exposed to multiple ACEs have triple the lifetime risk of heart disease and lung cancer, as well as a 20-year difference in life expectancy.

Types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

There are many different forms of ACEs a person can experience during childhood and adolescence, including:

• Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
• Domestic abuse of a parent or sibling
• Substance abuse in the household
• Severe mental illness or suicide in the household
• Parental death, separation or divorce
• Having an incarcerated household member, especially a parent
• Emotional or physical neglect
• Poverty

The Impact of ACEs

Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Adverse childhood experiences can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of a person throughout their life, leading to an increased risk of mental health disorders, chronic disease, obesity, addiction and other health concerns.

The ACE study described these outcomes as a pyramid, with adverse childhood experiences as a foundation that can lead to social, emotional and cognitive impairment. This then can cause a person to adopt health risk behaviors, which lead to health and social problems and eventually an early death.

Understanding Positive Childhood Experiences

Not all adverse childhood experiences are things parents and caring adults can control. But there’s good news: their negative effects can be mitigated through positive childhood experiences (PCEs).

Positive childhood experiences are stabilizing, encouraging experiences that build resilience in children and teens who have experienced or are experiencing trauma. PCEs can also help youth who may experience ACEs in the future, making them valuable tools for preventing childhood trauma and helping youth stay resilient in unexpected adverse childhood experiences.

Here are the seven key positive childhood experiences that prove to be a strong buffer against ACEs:

1. The ability to talk with family about feelings
2. The sense that family is supportive during difficult times
3. The enjoyment of participation in community traditions
4. Feeling a sense of belonging in high school
5. Feeling supported by friends
6. Having at least two non-parent adults who genuinely care
7. Feeling safe and protected by an adult in the home

Research on positive childhood experiences uncovered some significant impacts on adult mental health as children and teens who experienced PCEs grew up. PCEs appear to buffer adversity by improving adult mental health outcomes and boosting adult resilience. These effects proved to be cumulative, with adults who experienced higher numbers of PCEs being more likely to report fewer or no mental health challenges. It’s all about building a positive foundation in childhood that serves us well as adults.

Strategies to Build Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

At the core of positive childhood experiences are the parents, caregivers, supportive adults and communities that a child or teen is connected to. These people are key in building positive experiences and stability for youth. Here are some ways individuals and communities can help children and teens experience greater positive experiences and reduce the impact of ACEs.

How Parents and Caregivers Can Create Positive Childhood Experiences

Building resilience starts at home. Children and teens should feel safe talking about their feelings and experiences with their parent or caregiver, trusting that they will be loved and supported during difficult times. How can parents and caregivers build a safe environment that provides consistent positive childhood experiences for youth in their care?

• Regularly spend time at play with your child
• Have a predictable, reliable schedule
• Accept your child for who they are
• Offer praise for positive achievements like being kind, brave or hard-working
• Provide opportunities for safe outdoor play
• Help your child identify and talk about their feelings
• Find community resources and opportunities for your child to connect with peers and trusted adults

How Communities Can Empower Youth with Positive Childhood Experiences

Certain positive childhood experiences are more community-based than home-based, such as feelings of belonging in high school, support from peers and having caring adults aside from one’s parents who are engaged and involved in the youth’s life. Communities can help empower children and teens with positive childhood experiences too!

• Provide social and emotional learning curriculums in school settings
• Be a trusted resource of support and connection for the youth in your life
• Develop after-school programs and activities to create connections between youth and trusted adults (coaches, teachers, mentors)
• Invest in community initiatives to maintain parks, build playgrounds and create a safe community environment for children and teens to grow and play
• Volunteer for clubs, programs or activities that provide positive experiences for children and teens
• Incorporate research-informed child welfare training and initiatives, such as the KVC Institute’s Safe and Connected Model

How KVC West Virginia Can Help

KVC West Virginia provides a wide variety of services to help children and families through difficult times, giving them the tools they need to overcome ACEs and develop positive childhood experiences. In addition to foster care, foster parent training and support and youth academic support, KVC West Virginia provides outpatient mental health therapy services for children and adults insured by Medicaid.

Our providers offer both individual and family therapy services. We often meet youth and adults where they’re most comfortable, including their home, their school, in a KVC office or via telehealth. Using the Safe and Connected™ model, our mental health professionals develop a constructive, working relationship with clients to improve safety outcomes and build resilience.

Some of the conditions and disorders our providers can help address include:

• Anxiety or depression
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Our providers also address the following concerns as they relate to a diagnosed mental health condition:

• Aggression or anger management
• Behavioral challenges
• Grief
• Trauma
• Stress management
• Suicidal ideation

If you’re looking for mental health therapy and support, KVC West Virginia is actively accepting referrals! Contact your local KVC office today to learn more and make a referral.