Many people talk about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their lasting health and wellbeing impacts. Did you know that there is an antidote to ACEs and it is Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)? These are simple things you can do as a caregiver to ensure your child has safe, stable and nurturing relationships with you and other safe adults. Some examples are:
For small children you can help them learn feeling words and label their feelings “I am frustrated.” The goal is for them to feel like they can share their feelings and be listened to.
Help your children develop relationships with at least two non-parent adults who genuinely care about them.
Participating in something like scouts, sports, or youth groups helps them feel connected to their community. Check out Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation’s list of activities here.
This means providing predictable, nurturing routines, feeding them nutritious food, and reducing safety risks inside the home.
Research shows that the more Positive Childhood Experiences a child has, the better their long-term mental and physical health is. Children with 3-5 PCEs have 50% lower odds of depression or poor mental health as adults compared to those with 0-2 PCEs. These are not just “nice to have”- they are proven protective factors for children’s lifelong well-being.
You can learn more about Positive Childhood Experiences and Protective Factors from our friends at the American Society for the Positive Care of Children.
