Primary Schoolers Childrens Grief

Primary Schoolers Childrens Grief

• Grief is part of life. Learning about loss and grief can be an important part of a child's education and growth.
• Children can grieve over many things, including some of the following:
  • death of a pet
  • having a disability
  • getting injured
  • being in hospital
  • feeling unsafe after a break in or burglary
  • moving house
  • when their best friend moves away
  • being separated from parents for a long time
  • divorce or separation of parents
  • death of a parent or grandparent.
• Children often don't have words to express their feelings and may show their grief in some of the following ways:
  • headaches, stomach pains, loss of appetite
  • problems at school
  • sleep problems

• clinging to adults
• anger, aggression, behavioural problems
• fears
• lack of concentration
• delayed development
• pretending nothing has happened
• emotional - laughing and crying without obvious cause
• not wanting to go to school or running away.
• You can give support and help your children.
  • Give clear, honest, easy to understand information and answers, according to their age.
  • If they need to, let the child hear what happened over and over again.
  • Assure the child there will always be someone there for them.
  • Be aware that children may take advantage of the situation.
  • Help the child to express their feelings - through talking, crying, painting.
  • 'Protecting' children by not sharing grief, or lying, may cause problems later in life.
  • Even though you may try and shield children from the truth, they will know something is wrong by the behaviour of those around them.
  • Share grief so the child doesn't feel left out and frightened.
  • Give simple explanations such as: 'Granny died. We can't see her any more and that makes us very sad.'

     

     

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Primary Schoolers Middle Childhood :: Primary Schoolers Quick Guide 6 to 7 Years Old
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