With many months of the coronavirus crisis behind us and still more uncertainty and stress ahead, life is tough right now for kids of all ages. Many parents — seeing their children experiencing anxiety, sadness and behavior challenges — are wondering how all of this will affect kids in the long term. Can children be traumatized by the coronavirus crisis, and if they are, how will you know?

While this situation is difficult for everyone, the good news is that kids are resilient — and parents can help foster that resilience. Even though the coronavirus crisis is stressful and could lead to long-term struggles for some kids, what you do now can make a big difference down the road. Here are the facts on stress, trauma and resilience, plus strategies for helping kids bounce back and knowing when to seek professional support.

What is trauma?