Positive Childhood Experiences

What are positive childhood experiences?

We are not just shaped by the difficult things that happen during childhood, but also the good things. Positive experiences during childhood can help strengthen people’s ability to cope and thrive as they grow, and protect against the impacts of trauma. (From the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health)

There is no definitive list of positive childhood experiences, but some examples are shown in the figure to the right.

7 positive childhood experiences (PCEs): This infographic illustrates seven examples of PCEs.
The first example is feeling able to talk to your family about feelings.
The second example is feeling your family stood by you during difficult times.
The third example is enjoying participation in community traditions.
The fourth example is to have at least two non-parent adults who took genuine interest in you.
The fifth example is feeling supported by friends.
The sixth example is feeling a sense of belonging in high school.
The seventh example is feeling safe and protected by an adult in your home.

Figure: Created by Mezzo Solutions

What contributes to positive (or negative) childhood experiences?

There are many factors that can increase the likelihood of experiencing ACEs, known as risk factors, and many factors that can protect and/or decrease the likelihood of experiencing ACEs, known as protective factors. Positive childhood experiences are examples of those protective factors.

These factors are not necessarily direct causes of ACEs, but can shape people’s experiences regardless. Risk and protective factors can exist at the individual, family, and community level. There is no exhaustive list of these factors, but the CDC offers some examples of risk and protective factors at both levels.

Additional Resources

To learn more about trauma and a trauma-informed approach, check out the following resources:

CDC’s ACEs infographic

The Four Building Blocks of Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE)

Next steps: How can we promote positive childhood experiences?

We can help create positive childhood experiences at the individual, organizational, and community level.

At the individual level: Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about creating positive childhood experiences as parents, caregivers, friends, family, neighbor, and coworkers.

At the organizational and community level: Look through the CDC’s Public Health Strategy to Adverse Childhood Experiences

And look through the CDC’s Resource for Action on Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect

Resilient Durham

Quick Links

Want to share a resource, event, or just chat about the work your organization is doing, with DART?

Email Bridget Nelson at bnelson@dconc.gov. Bridget is the Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Coordinator at the Durham County Public Health Department.