Gilliam: What's Important to Kids in Times of Stress

As economic news continues to look grim – the newest job loss numbers put more than half a million Americans out of work in March alone and the financial, automotive and housing markets all continue to struggle – Yale's Walter Gilliam, Ph.D., assistant professor of child psychiatry and psychology and director of the Edward Zigler Center for Child Development says that the one thing that children rely on most in tough economic times is stability.

“There are some needs that are more fundamental, [including being] physically safe and well-fed,” he said, speaking to members of the CT Early Childhood Alliance in March. “Right now, the urgency of need is the sense of stability,” he said.

Gilliam said talking to one's three-year-old about their current financial problems is not the best way to make them feel more secure.

“Don't make it your three-year-old,” he said, adding if someone needed to talk, “Call me, talk to me.”

For older children, he suggested explaining the current financial situation in terms of layers. Some people may be losing their homes, but they still have people around them who love them; some people may lose their belongings, but they still have their homes and a roof over their heads.

“They need to know there are layers and that [a family] is all going through it together,” he said.

For families who are facing financial concerns, they may be turning more and more to their children's child care center for a sense of stability. The group discussed how budget choices can affect child stability and security.

“We need to make sure these children have a place they feel secure – if not at home, then at the center,” said one member.

“Maybe a priority should be at the Legislature to not cut funding to these programs of stability,” added another member.

There were also suggestions made to maintain quality of care at its current levels, seeking mostly to focus on keeping care stable for children.