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As you move from the rhythm of summer to back to school, here are some ways to support your child:
1 - Inform your child’s teacher: Inform your child’s teacher about the death your family has experienced, especially if it was a parent or sibling loss. Even if the death was four years ago, it can still be helpful.
2 - Make a difficult day safety plan: Help your child discover what they need during a hard day at school. Collaborate with teachers or counselors on how your child can check in with someone on campus who makes them feel safe. Your child could also place a Post-it Note on their desk to convey to their teacher they are having a difficult day and either needs space or extra support. Even if they never implement their difficult day safety plan, it can be reassuring to the student to have one in place.
3 - Find ways for a check-in: After a death, kids often fear something will happen to other family members. Going the entire school day without a check-in can be hard. Talk with school staff about a phone call at lunchtime.
4 - Plan drop-off and pick-up routines: If the person who died was a part of a child's drop-off or pick-up routine, this is another layer to the loss. Talk about the new plan. Planning helps reduce anxiety.
5 - After-school rituals: After-school activities may differ after a death. After-school practices could be making a snack, discussing their day, or working on homework together. Collaborate to establish new or continued rituals. This can ease the worry of uncertainty.
6 - Address challenges with concentration, memory, and school assignments: Grief can impact our ability to focus and complete tasks. Work with your child's teacher for ideas to help your student focus and keep track of schoolwork. Sometimes a check-in with the teacher or a homework buddy helps.
7 - Make time for play and friends: Grieving students need time for rest, relaxation, and fun! Play is how children process and integrate their world. Reading a book, going for a bike ride, or making a fort can create connections and fun.
We hope these tips provide you with a good foundation for talking with your child, creating plans, and helping them to feel supported as they kick off the 2022-2023 school year.
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