Grief (see also Death/Dying)

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BRIEF SUMMARY

Grief may not feel normal but it is. Everyone will grieve in their own way.  When a child grieves, you might not even realize that they’re grieving. Kids process and display complex emotions differently than adults. However, that doesn’t mean the grief is not happening and that a child isn’t affected by their emotions. Children aren’t too young to grieve.

See also Death/Dying.

KEY POINTS

  • No bereaved child or young person will respond to the death of someone close in the same way.
  • Allow the bereaved child or young person to say how they feel and do not be offended if they are angry with you or do not want to talk.
  • Give the bereaved child or young person the time to explore their grief and support them as they mourn.

SHARED WISDOM

  • Question: I am looking for a good resource to use in processing with a student whose father passed away unexpectedly.  She is almost 15 years old, but is in our life skills program and functions around a preschool level. She has limited verbal communication.
    • Responses:
    • I would recommend reaching out to Brooke’s Place. They may have some tips or help to support your student. Here is a link to their website that has some of their resources.  https://www.brookesplace.org/index.php/about-brooke-s-place/brooke-s-place-resources
    • Contact hospice groups.  They have materials for young children to help them understand death.
    • Coalition for Support Grieving Students.
    • Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children  is a simple book for young children.  I have used this book on many occasions to explain the cycle of life when a loved one has died.    Another book I have recently been using with children is The Invisible String which helps children understand how we are always connected to those we have loved and have died.
    • I like Grief is a snowflake by Julia Cook.  I’ve had students create snowflakes or continue working on a grief/memory book.   Depending on her developmental level. I also you the grief book done by Sesame Street.
  • Question: Does anyone have any good resources that they use for staff and students when they have lost a student?  (from Counselor Talk, November 2018)
  • From Counselor Talk:
    • Q: What is a good book recommendation for an adolescent who lost a brother? A: Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens by Alan Wolfelt.
    • A: Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan Wolfelt has great ideas.
      He also has a great book (includes all age levels) which is good for counselors and also to loan out to parents: Finding the Words: How to Talk with Children and Teens about Death, Suicide, Homicide, Funerals, Cremation, and other End-of-Life Matters.  His website is: https://www.centerforloss.com
  • www.willowgreen.com has excellent materials for adults experiencing grief. (and the author/photographer lives in Fort Wayne!) Counselortalk, March 2018

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This post was created by EFGH ContentManager on August 7, 2016.