The article highlights the role played by kindergartens and schools regarding awareness of the prevalence and long-term negative consequences of children’s exposure to potentially traumatic experiences. Qualitative research results are presented with respect to focus groups conducted with 43 preschool teachers, primary school teachers and counsellors in Slovenian kindergartens and schools, where the topic concerned recognising the impacts of traumatic experiences, action strategies and desired changes in the development of appropriate responses. The participants were aware of the importance of children’s traumatic experiences and also recognise them, yet do not feel sufficiently trained to take action; they emphasise the importance of cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation on the national level aimed at preventing traumatic experiences and the intergenerational transmission of trauma. The article also provides guidelines for explicitly and systematically addressing this issue in kindergartens and schools across Slovenia.
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