Maryam Kia

Along our journeys, we fill our metaphorical suitcases with experiences, identities, losses, and hopes. In a world shaped by displacement, pandemics, climate crises, and social unrest, parents and educators are asking:

• How do we help children feel safe when the world feels unstable?
• What builds resilience?

Inspired by her children’s book, "A Suitcase Full," and grounded in trauma-informed developmental science, Dr. Maryam Kia shares how children make meaning of adversity—and how caring adults can support that process. It emphasizes storytelling, connection, and emotional literacy as protective forces. Audiences leave with practical tools to nurture belonging, emotional resilience, and hope in children—helping them carry their stories with strength rather than fear.