WITNESSING VIOLENCE CAN CHANGE A KID’S MIND. BUT YOUR EVERYDAY GESTURES CAN HELP THEM HEAL AND LEAD TO FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE. Early trauma and violence in the home, school or community can affect children throughout their entire lives. Research reveals that a child’s positive and negative experiences can literally shape, and reshape, the brain. The more a child is exposed to traumatic events, the more neural connections are created in regions of the brain that involve fear, anxiety, and impulsiveness. Chronic stress can be linked to cognitive impairment, chronic health problems and behavior issues.