P.A.C.E is a trauma-informed approach that was developed by clinical psychologist Dr Dan Hughes. It is an evidence-based way of thinking, feeling, and communicating that helps carers build safety, security, and trust in the adult-child relationship.
P.A.C.E is rooted in attachment theory and recognises the critical role of secure attachments in healthy child development.
When children experience significant trauma and attachment disruptions, they can learn that other people are untrustworthy, unsafe, scary, and even harmful. This negatively impacts the way a child relates to and interacts with others throughout their lives.
To develop positive and secure attachments, young people need skilled and knowledgeable carers who can look beneath their behaviour and respond sensitively to their underlying needs.
Evidence shows that by consistently and effectively applying the four principles of P.A.C.E parenting, carers are better able to provide a child with the emotional containment and relational safety they need to develop secure attachments and begin to heal from their early traumatic experiences.
P.A.C.E aims to help the child to develop a more positive and integrated sense of self through four key principles:
1. Playfulness
2. Acceptance
3. Curiosity
4. Empathy
What is Playfulness?
Playfulness involves incorporating fun, humour, and joy into our interactions with young people. By being playful, parents or carers can create a sense of safety and enjoyment that allows children to explore, learn, and develop their social and emotional skills.
Being playful could mean engaging in a fun shared activity or interacting with a young person in ways that encourage laughter and spontaneity and build a meaningful connection. Some examples of engaging in playfulness include education through play or assigning dedicated time to encourage playfulness among young children.
Playfulness is used as a way of connecting by creating a fun, light and playful atmosphere when communicating with the child.
It’s about having fun and helping children be more open to experiencing what is positive in their lives. When used skilfully by a carer who is well-attuned to a young person, playfulness can also help diffuse difficult situations and encourage child development through play.
Playfulness is not…
· Using inappropriate humour, sarcasm or “banter”.
· Just about making jokes or “having a laugh”.
· Appropriate all of the time.
· About making jokes or making light of the situation when a child is sad or angry.
What are the Benefits of Play?
Play is a critical part of child development. It helps children and young people to develop essential skills that they will use for the rest of their lives! From problem-solving and physical coordination to managing their feelings, play helps children to learn and grow.
When children and young people have experienced trauma early in life, it can be difficult for them to trust that the adults around them are safe and will care for them. Playfulness can help young people to develop a sense of safety within the child-carer relationship.
Playfulness for child development can be easily overlooked.
Playful interactions can release oxytocin and dopamine into our bodies. This helps to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and allows the child and carer to experience a connection that is enjoyable and rewarding.
Being playful, therefore, has benefits for both children and carers!
Examples of Playfulness
1. Use friendly, personalised greetings: E.g., Some children may enjoy a high five or fist bump. Others who are more sensitive to touch may prefer a phrase or wave.
2. Smile more: Remember, we are trying to build relationships with young people whose threat systems are hyperalert. Rather than adopting a neutral expression, smile and be animated when giving praise and positive feedback.
3. Use your tone: Adopt a positive, “storytelling” tone of voice and be enthusiastic! For example, you can try to match the young person’s level of excitement when they talk to you about things they like or have achieved.
4. Find opportunities to be silly: Find appropriate moments to be silly, laugh and have fun! This helps young people to feel safe and secure. Find humour in making mistakes or being forgetful, too. This can help to model playful ways that young people can handle similar situations.
5. Get involved with games and activities: Find activities that offer moments of shared enjoyment. When thinking of different activities to try, remember to be mindful that the young person‘s developmental age may be lower than their chronological age.
6. Defuse stressful demands: E.g., if a child struggles to get ready on time, try to make a game out of it! Set realistic expectations and provide lots of positive attention.
7. Use playful dialogue: This might sound like…
Child: “I hate you, and your breath stinks!”
A well-attuned adult who knows the child well (in a playful, light tone): “oh.. well I’d better go and buy some tic tacs then!”
The Power of Playfulness
When a child has experienced trauma, it can be difficult for them to trust that the adults around them are safe.
Playfulness is a great way of showing a child that you like them! It reduces the authority of your role and allows us to experience a connection with the child that is enjoyable and rewarding.
Finding time for playful moments is essential in maintaining an open and engaged relationship. If you would like more information or would like to discuss how Meadows Psychology Service can help your organisation implement a PACE approach, please get in touch and keep your eyes peeled for the next blog in our PACE series: Acceptance!
