Potential Impact of Violence on Pre-schoolers

Children of different ages will be affected by exposure to domestic violence in different ways.

Key Aspects of Development		Potential Impact of Domestic Violence

Learn how to express angry feelings and other emotions in appropriate ways		learn unhealthy ways to express anger and other emotions

Experiences and observations most salient in forming meaning in their world		confused by conflicting messages (e.g., what I see vs. what I am told)

Outcome is more salient than the process		may be distressed by perceived unfairness, father's arrest and/or trip to shelter

Think in egocentric ways		may attribute violence to something they did

Form ideas about gender roles based on social messages		learn gender roles associated with violence and victimization

Increase physical independence (e.g., dressing self)		instability may inhibit independence; may see regressive behaviours

Implications for Interventions with Mothers of Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5)

ensure the mother is safe from violence and children are safe from maltreatment
help with housing, accessing income assistance, accessing medical services, and other assistance she requires: see the handout called You Know What You Need: Ask for It!
offer support to the woman as a mother (e.g., parenting assistance, referral to parenting program, etc.)
encourage the mother to re-establish comforting routines (e.g., bed time, favourite books) as soon as practically possible
a high-quality child care program will be respite for the woman and help the child with age-appropriate socialization and school readiness
assist the woman to gain legal advice if required for custody and support issues
discuss the strategies she might use to address safety of the child when on access visits with her ex-partner: see the handout called Navigating Children's Contact with their Father
help her find the Ontario Early Years Centre nearest to where she lives
consult the local Children's Aid Society if you have concerns a child might be at risk for abuse/neglect or in need of protection: see Knowing When to Report Child Maltreatment