*NEW* Leading With Care: Trauma-Informed Practices In Early Childhood Education

Analyze how trauma-informed leadership practices create emotionally safe, relationship-based early childhood programs where children, families, and educators can thrive. Evaluate the impact of trauma and stress on regulation, behavior, relationships, and workplace culture while designing practical strategies that support resilience through reflective leadership, compassionate policies, and responsive caregiving practices. Develop regulation, connection, and cultures of care that strengthen the ability to lead supportive, healing-centered early childhood communities. 

• Knowledge and Competency Framework Area -
  • IX: Trauma Informed Care (10 Hours)
• CDA Content Area -
  • III: Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development (10 Hours)
• Level 3 - Designs & Leads

This self-study was written by Shauna Taradash, an early childhood education professional with over 18 years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Social Psychology from Stanford University, and her expertise spans psychology, race and ethnic studies, parent relationships, preschool management, and leadership development. Shauna is the founder and lead consultant of Underground Education, specializing in professional development and cultural transformation, and she serves as an adjunct professor of psychology and ethnic studies at Las Positas College.

A lifelong learner, Shauna is a published writer and Public Voices fellow with The OpEd Project and the National Black Child Development Institute. She is also a dancer and actor with the Belonging Residence Company and Liberation Academy.