Children have a difficult time adjusting to change, who doesn't! Change can make us feel powerless and helpless. In children, this is because they lack the ability to protect themselves or others, and they feel intense fear or insecurity. Young children and even school age children are beginning to develop coping skills, but often do not have all of the language to fully express all of these intense feelings during traumatic times. The early care and education environment can be a place for rebounding and recovery as children's play may reflect all aspects of the event. Through re-enactment and observation we can see how children are feeling and help them work through those feelings by guiding discussions and answering their questions. The role of the early educator is essential to their well-being. The physical environment and materials along with planning and thoughtful and intentional planning can aid in the recovery of children. Participants in this learning event will summarize possible behaviors children may exhibit following a traumatic event, identify ways their physical environment can help in children's recovery from a traumatic event, and develop responses to possible behaviors children may exhibit during play.

Registration always open!

A bit about Karen Darby

Karen is originally from a small town in northern West Virginia, she has 1 sister who currently lives in Orlando, Florida.  Karen lives in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, which is in Cleveland County.   Karen had a very small, private wedding ceremony on 2-22-2022, it was a Tuesday! She kept the name Karen Darby, for professional purposes. Karen has no children of her own but enjoys spending time with her husband's grown children and grandchildren.

Karen's hobbies include anything outdoors, but at the top of her list are: swimming, walking hiking, biking, flower gardening, painting, and she is willing to try anything outdoors at least once.  She is however, afraid of heights.

In her spare time, Karen teaches an adult swimming class for the City of Shelby, she is a certified Aqua Fitness Instructor and certified Lifeguard and certified as a CPR/First Aid/AED instructor.  Karen finds that she volunteers in the community and senior center on a frequent basis, but she loves to spend time with her dog!

An on-going goal of Karen's is to become published author (of more than just an article or blogpost) and to continue to offer the continuing education courses at SWCDC at the highest level of standard possible.

Contact Karen at darby.karen@swcdcinc.org