In the past six years, the children in Israel have been exposed to the effects of Covid on their schooling, the horrors of October 7th, a two-year war with Hamas in which many of their parents who fought in the army came home injured (or didn’t come home at all), and missiles being shot at them from Iran.

How have these precious children dealt with these traumatic episodes, and what has the country of Israel done to help them through this difficult period?

I spoke with Dr. Naomi Baum, a psychologist and international consultant in the field of trauma and resilience building about this subject. In the last two decades she has dedicated herself to creating and implementing resilience-building programs for those exposed to trauma, be it terrorism, war, or natural disaster.

She is the co-author of the recently published “Inner Space: My Resilience Workbook” for elementary aged children, and “I Feel That Way and That’s Okay,” a story book for preschoolers to build resilience, both published by Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services, Kestenbaum Family International Children’s Services. Additionally, she is the author of professional articles on resilience building and trauma.  Her most recent adult book entitled “ISRESILIENCE: What Israelis Can Teach the World,” can be found on Amazon. Her website is www.naominbaum.com.

Below is a transcript of our interview.

Over the past six years, Israeli children have experienced Covid disruptions, political instability, the trauma of October 7th, prolonged war, and ongoing missile threats. From a developmental psychology perspective, how does repeated exposure to different kinds of trauma affect children differently than a single traumatic event?

We don’t really know how prolonged exposure will affect children long term, but what I can say is that as a population, as a people, I think we’re tired. I sense this great sense of fatigue. The people who tend to be anxious are anxious once again, and the people who tend not to be anxious are not particularly anxious, but they’re tired.

I’m concerned about kids who have been out of school for so long, and so often.  I believe that’s going to shape the face of education. I think something is going to have to change.  Kids have been going weeks and months without attending school and I worry about that a great deal. I am concerned about both the quality and the quantity of their education, and what kinds of kids the educational system is turning out.

In the aftermath of October 7th, many children were exposed not only to violence but also to graphic images and intense media coverage. How does secondary exposure through media shape a child’s trauma response, and what guidance do you give parents about managing this?

I suggest that parents reduce media exposure, both for themselves and certainly........

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