Seminar: The Indigenous Early Childhood Educators Professional Development Program
Program: IECE
Subject Area: Other
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Year of Publication: 2024
Abstract
As human beings, we have experienced many events in our lives, some good and others bad. Many of us live our day-to-day lives in constant stress. It is unhealthy for our mind and body to live in a state of stress continually; it can become toxic. Many factors contribute to toxic stress, such as chronic neglect of stress, economic hardship, unemployment, and food insecurity. Though many factors can contribute to toxic stress and trauma, the arts have been proven to be an effective healing treatment. “The arts engage these human resources [joy, awe, wonder] to help us begin to heal…they unarm you and are a way that gets underneath the defensive mechanisms.” (Magsamen & Ross, pp. 66-67) The arts put you in a meditative state. This state allows you to shut down the part of your brain responsible for judgment and personal criticism. As this part of your brain gets shut down, the more generous, perspective-taking point of view comes to the forefront and becomes more accessible.
I have chosen two O’odham Artist profiles that showcase how the arts have been beneficial in addressing mental health.