When children avoid tasks, resist trying, or seem unmotivated, it’s easy to label the behavior as laziness or defiance. This training looks beneath the surface to explain how intrinsic motivation is meant to develop—and how trauma, chronic stress, and external rewards can disrupt that process, leading to power struggles, skill gaps, and discouragement. Using clear, accessible science, practical activities, and real‑life examples, participants gain insight into why traditional approaches often fail when trauma is involved and what helps instead. Caregivers and professionals leave with practical tools to align expectations with children’s developmental and nervous system needs, reduce conflict, support skill‑building, and help children re‑engage, persist, and succeed over time. Participants will learn tools they can apply with both adults and children at home and in the workplace.

• By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Describe how trauma disrupts motivation and executive functioning.

  • Reframe labels and behavior like “lazy” through a trauma‑informed lens.

  • Apply trauma-informed tools that restore access to motivation.

  • Identify regulation/co‑regulation as prerequisites.

This course — both the live webinar and the course made from the recording — are approved for 1 CEU hour for Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Art Therapists, and Foster-Adoptive Parents. See the course registration page for details.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026  12 noon EASTERN (See your time zone.)

Register for the Course to attend the LIVE webinar (or access the course later)

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