Safety and trust are developed in a child at just 18 months old, which is derived from the somatic nervous system (or the sensory nerves that relay sensation from the body to the central nervous system). Traumatized children usually have a faulty neuroception system – or they perceive danger when there is none.

Author of “Brain Changing Strategies to Trauma-Proof Our Schools,” Maggie Kline is a former teacher and school counselor and current therapist and psychologist, and she is on a mission to help children resolve this trauma. Left unresolved, children often feel depressed, angry, defiant and likely exhibit school behavioral issues.

“Without safety, children — no matter how much they try, no matter how much they want to be good — they don’t take the information in; their memory is impaired,” Kline explained.

Throughout the episode, Kline gave numerous real-life examples and broke down how the body’s physical response to high-stress situations often come with negative mental consequences. Ultimately, these experiences lead to how safe, or secure, one feels as an adult later in life.

Kline also revealed her personal secret to remaining grounded and present in the moment, noting the importance of gratitude, meditation and disconnecting from technology.

Looking for some additional resources? Here are Kline’s favorite:

• “Altered Traits” by Daniel Goleman & Richard Davidson
• “Trauma-Proofing Your Kids” by Peter Levine & Maggie Kline
• “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey
• The Somatic Experiencing International nonprofit working to transform lives through healing trauma

Kline ends the podcast advising listeners to pursue joy, kindness and love, and to regulate the self first, and then focus on healing the children.