Losing a loved one can be an isolating and confusing experience, especially for children. Every child has their own questions, emotions, and needs. Addressing each of these can seem overwhelming, but your child will need support to help them cope and grow through these challenges. On this page, we have provided some guidance and resources to help you and your child navigate through grief during this difficult time.
Ways to Support a Bereaved Child
- Maintaining a daily routine is vital for children, ensuring they have regular times to eat and sleep to support their overall health.
- Allow the space for kids to be kids. If they feel ready to play with friends or learn with their teachers, they should be encouraged to do so to help them feel a sense of normalcy throughout the day.
- Be open to listening to their emotions. Feel free share your own, in a way that doesn't require the child to feel they need to care for you. They may have questions about death or loss, try your best to explain in terms that are easy for them to understand. You may find age-appropriate books to be very helpful. If you don't know the answer to certain questions, it is okay to let them know that.
- Let them express themselves creatively. This can be through art, music, or sharing stories.
"The most important thing is, even when we're apart ... I'll always be with you ..."
- Winnie the Pooh
Resources
Art helps children express emotions through a creative and non-verbal outlet, allowing them to convey feelings they might struggle to put into words. Engaging in artistic activities like painting, dancing, and singing can also provide moments of peace, promoting mindfulness and relaxation during difficult times. Creating art can serve as a meaningful way for children to remember their loved ones.
Writing is beneficial for pre-teen and teenage children who are grieving as it provides a safe space for them to express their emotions and make sense of their experiences. Through journaling, children can explore their grief at their own pace while working through their emotions. Journaling can create meaningful conversations between children and their caregivers about their loss.
Books for Bereaved Children
- Barclay Moore, D, The Stars Beneath Our Feet, 2019
- Burrowes, A Grandma's purple flowers 2000 English
- Carter, D; Stevenson, H Bye, Mis' Lela 1998 English
- Chaves Castaneda, R; Carrasco Ingles, A Salvavidas 2006 Spanish
- Clifton, L; Grifalconi, A Everett Anderson's Goodbye 1998 English
- Correnti, J. The ABCs of Grief 2024
- Devine, M, Dwyer, M Kayak Girl 2012 English
- Doerrfeld, C, The Rabbit Listened, 2018
- Edwards, M Stinky Stern Forever: A Jackson Friends Book 2005 English
- Fox, M; Robinson, A Sophie 1995 English
- Fraustino, L; Andrews, B The Hickory Chair 2001 English
- Gemeinhart, D, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, 2018
- Goldman, J; Moreno, R Uncle Monarch and the Day of the Death 2008 English
- Hooft, M; Heuninck, R; Llado, A Adios, Abuela 2014 Spanish
- Joose, B; Potter, G Ghost Wings 2002 English
- Karst, P; Lew-Vriethoff, J, The Invisible String El hilo invisible (Álbumes) (Spanish Edition), 2018
- Loedec-Jorg, C Falikou 2012 French
- Luenn, N; Chapman, R A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of Dead 1998
- Maddern, E; Hess, P; Frutos Velasco, A El Senor Muerte en una Avellana 2007
- Reagan, J; Pollema Cahill, P Always my Brother 2009 Sibling (brother)
- Rius, R; Peris, C Maria no se Olvidara 2005 Spanish
- Rowland, J; Baker, T, The Memory Box: A Book About Grief
- Weaver, M; Wiener, L. The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers 2020 Magination Press, English
Books for Bereaved Teenagers
