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Supporting Children Through Grief
Grief can be especially confusing and overwhelming for children. They may not have the words to express their feelings or fully understand what's happening, but with the right support, they can navigate loss in healthy and meaningful ways.
Here are a few ways to help a grieving child:
Be honest and age-appropriate: Use clear and simple language to avoid confusion. This can include using words such as "died" instead of "passed away" and using specific terms such as "They had cancer" instead of "They were sick."
Encourage individual expression: Let the child know that it is okay to feel sad, angry, or even relieved, and that all the emotions they may experience are normal. Invite the child to notice and name their feelings as they come, either out loud or to themselves. Acknowledging these feelings is an important part of the grieving process.
Provide consistency: Maintaining routines and every day activities can help provide a sense of safety and security for a child who is grieving. Structure and stability are incredibly important for children, especially during difficult or uncertain times.
Create space for remembrance: Whether it's drawing pictures, writing letters, sharing stories, or making something in memory of their loved one, creative activities can help children process grief.
This summer, Rotary Hospice is offering a free webinar focused on the topic of children and grief. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or caregiver, this session will provide helpful insights and tools to support the children in your life navigating grief and loss.
Summer Webinar: Children & Grief
Wednesday, June 18th at 7 pm on Zoom
To learn more or register please contact sw@rotaryhospice.ca
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