Forbes: Nurturing The Resilience Of Our Students In The Wake Of The Traumas Of COVID-19 And Racism

Stacy Stewart, principal of Belmont-Cragin Elementary School, greets her kindergarten students RYAN MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY

Turnaround for Children Founder and Senior Science Advisor, Pamela Cantor, M.D., was interviewed by LEAP Innovations Founder and CEO, Phyllis Lockett in an article for Forbes.

In the article, “Nurturing The Resilience Of Our Students In The Wake Of The Traumas Of COVID-19 And Racism,” Cantor and Lockett discuss how trauma affects student learning and how students and educators are responding to the current unrest caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality against People of Color. During the interview, Cantor also shares how adults and children can build resilience in the face of adversity. An excerpt reads:

Lockett: In what ways should educators and parents refocus their approach with children to ease the stress?

Cantor: The human relationship is the most powerful buffer we have against the effects of stress and we all need it—both adults and kids. Today, in the time of COVID-19, we have no choice but to focus on relationship building. A calm brain is necessary for learning. The path to a calm brain depends on strong relationships, establishing routines and building resilience. At Turnaround for Children, we call these the new Three R’s: the three non-negotiables for healthy development, learning and stress management.

Read the full interview in Forbes.