In California, 1 in 3 kids are at risk of toxic stress. That means many kids are carrying stress that can affect their health, learning, relationships and future well-being if they do not get the support they need.
What is toxic stress?
Stress is a normal part of life, even for children. But when a child experiences ongoing or overwhelming challenges without enough support from a caring adult, that stress can build up inside their body and become toxic stress.
Toxic stress can result from experiences such as:
- Hearing harsh language
- Experiencing abuse or violence
- Living through a natural disaster
- Facing unfair treatment or discrimination
- Losing a loved one
- Witnessing conflict or instability at home
Without support, toxic stress can impact a child’s brain development, physical and mental health, ability to learn, future career success, relationships, and overall happiness.
The Good News: Support Makes a Difference
While we cannot protect children from every difficult experience, we can help prevent those experiences from turning into toxic stress. Strong, supportive relationships and stable environments help children build resilience so they can better handle life’s challenges.
The earlier support begins, the better.
Four Key Ways to Build Resilient Kids
- Be Calm: Children look to adults for cues on how to react in stressful situations. Staying calm helps create a peaceful environment where kids feel safer and more secure
- Be Steady: Consistent routines and predictable habits help children feel grounded. Stability at home can make unexpected situations feel less overwhelming.
- Be There: Simple moments of connection — talking, playing, listening or spending quality time together — help strengthen your bond and support healthy brain development.
- Be Nurturing: Showing love, encouragement and affection helps children feel valued and supported. Small acts of care can have a lasting impact on a child’s emotional well-being.
When Bad Things Happen, Act Early
Even if your child does not immediately show signs of stress, it is important to offer support after a difficult experience. Children may process emotions differently or show changes later on.
It is never too early — or too late — to help a child feel safe, supported and understood.
Where to find support
- Stronger Starts Learning Blocks: www.first5california.strongerstarts.com/address-toxic-stress/your-childs-feelings
- First 5 San Diego Resources: www.first5sandiego.org/contact-us/
- National Resources: www.first5california.strongerstarts.com/get-help-now/
- First 5 California Resources: https://www.first5california.com/en-us/services/