Grief & Loss Resources
"If you're old enough to love, you're old enough to grieve."
Grief is hard to experience and hard to watch others experience. As parents and educators, it can be challenging to watch our children and students experience grief and learn to cope with the death of someone special. Grief is an individual process and one that requires time and support.
If you and your child experience the death of a loved one, I encourage you to please contact me and your child(ren)'s classroom teacher(s) so that we can support you and your family through your grief journey.
Below are some resources for you and your child(ren). Please contact me if I can provide you with further information or support.
Children's Grief Awareness Day: November 21, 2024
Children's Understanding of Death:
Preschoolers: Preschoolers are beginning to understand death using a "matter-of-fact" attitude. They are concerned with filling the void and ask a lot of "why" questions.
School-Age Children: School-age children are gradually coming to develop a mature concept of death. They begin to develop a morality about death.
Pre-Adolescents: Pre-Adolescents are able to understand more abstract aspects of death and understand the laws of nature regarding death. They may focus on facts more than feelings and are concerned about the impact of death on relationships.
Adolescents: Adolescents have an adult-like understanding of death. They think more philosophically about death and may not want to participate in services.
Helping Children Deal with Loss:
⟡ Be honest and open
⟡ Avoid euphenisms
⟡ Be concrete
⟡ Show emotion
⟡ Accept your child's feelings
⟡ Try to maintain a sense of normalcy for children
Children's Books: Below is a sampling of books that are written to support and educate
children and adolescents about death and coping with grief and loss.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas
Grief is Like a Snowflake by Julia Cook
The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland
Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Schaefer Bernardo
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasney Brown
I Have a Question about Death: Clear Answers for All Kids, including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other Special Needs by Arlen Grade Gaines and Meredith Englander Polsky
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo Buscaglia
Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola
Goodbye Mousie by Robie H. Harris
Something Happened: A Book for Children and Parents Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss by Cathy Blanford
Last Week My Brother Anthony Died by Martha W. Hickman
Where's Jess: For Children Who Have a Brother or Sister Die by Marvin Johnson
Lost and Found: Remembering a Sister by Ellen Yeomans
Samantha Jane's Missing Smile: A Story About Coping with the Loss of a Parent by Julie Kaplow
Local Community Agency Supports
⟡ Safe Harbor at Abington Jefferson Health (Willow Grove, PA)
⟡ Peter's Place: A Center for Grieving Children and Families (Radnor, PA)
⟡ The Center for Loss and Bereavement & Nello's Corner (Skippack, PA)
⟡ Cancer Support Community/Noogieland (Philadelphia, PA; Warminster, PA)
Resources You Can Use at Home
Worry Box: For some children, bed time can become especially challenging after the death of a loved one. All of their worries and fears are expressed at nighttime and they cannot get to sleep. You and your child can create a worry box. See the steps below:
- Find a shoe box or photo box
- Have your child decorate the box
- Place the box outside of your child's bedroom door
- Each night, when your child shares a worry or concern, have them write or draw their worry on a piece of paper and place it in the box. Be sure to put the lid on tight!
- Your child's worries will stay in the box all night so that they are free to go to sleep
Feelings Journal: It is important to help your child express his or her feelings throughout their grieving process. Sometimes, children cannot verbalize all of their feelings and need another way to express themselves. You and your child can create a feelings journal. See the steps below:
- Find a journal or notebook
- Have your child decorate the cover
- Ask your child how he or she is feeling and write one feeling word on the top of the first page
- Your child can draw a picture or write about how they are feeling and talk about what they drew or wrote
- You and your child can use this journal each time your child is experiencing a feeling related to his or her grief. Your child may decide to work on his or her own after you have created the journal together.