How to Grieve with Your Child

posted 2/19/20 -- LCCAA knows life doesn’t stop so we can raise our children. Tackling tough topics can be a challenge but it is often necessary.

The unexpected death of a long-time LCCAA Head Start staff member at the end of 2019 required us to think about how we teach our children to grieve.

Head Start Director Shauna Matelski, Ed.D., found that what helps us as adults will also help our children. Here are some focus points when dealing the death of a friend or loved one:

► Be honest.

► Use simple language.

► Offer a listening ear.

► Observe behaviors.

► Accept kids’ feelings.

The Dougy Center, the national center for grieving children and families, also provides these tips:

► Answer the questions they ask; even the hard ones – children need to understand.

► Give the child choices whenever possible – children like to be included.

► Talk about and remember the person who died – give the opportunity to reflect.

► Respect differences in grieving styles – children will grieve in many different ways.

► Listen without judgment – just listen, no evaluation.

► Hold a memorial service and allow for saying goodbye – this is important for children.

► Take a break – grieving comes in cycles; it’s okay to take a break.

Learn more at: www.dougy.org/grief-resources/how-to-help-a-grieving-child/.