Playtime Can Be Anytime
Children spend the vast majority of their waking hours at play. Yet play is not simply a way for children to pass time. Instead, it's an important way for children to learn about their world and develop emotionally, socially and intellectually.

From the survey What Grown-Ups Understand About Child Development.

Understand the role of play in a child's development in Play.

Use It or Lose It
We now know that babies who get lots of love and attention actually learn better. This is because brain development depends on the way the brain is used and the extent to which it is used. Every experience excites certain neural circuits in the brain and leaves others inactive. Those circuits that are consistently excited by experience are strengthened while others that are not stimulated are weakened.

From the book Understanding Children.

Learn what you can do to positively impact a child's brain development in Development.

Dealing With Trauma
Trauma can occur as a reaction to an event or events that are exceptionally distressing such as death, injury, violence or the threat of such harm. When children suffer from trauma, their ability to achieve their developmental potential is dramatically affected. In helping a child recover from trauma, it is important to:

1. Provide strong social support and a sense of purpose.
2. Create a safe and secure environment.
3. Understand that the ability to overcome obstacles and adapt under adverse circumstances depends upon the personality of a child.
4. Offer individualized attention.
5. Turn to family support.
6. Ensure support at school.
7. Consider specialized therapy.

From the teachers' handbook Right on Course.

From the book Understanding Children.

Find out more about trauma in Maltreatment and Trauma.