Children grieve differently than adults (Ehmke, n.d.). As children grieve, they can experience drastic changes in moods to sudden playing, or regress with symptoms such as bed wetting or baby talk (n.d.). A child’s playing can be defense mechanism to prevent feeling overwhelmed, especially when processing big and confusing emotions while processing grief (n.d.).

A few ways to support children through grief is by:

• Helping children express their emotions by reading books and story telling (list of books for kids and teens on grief and loss are listed below)
• Expressing our own sadness in healthy ways
• Keeping the child’s normal schedule and routine, as it helps with security.
• Be developmentally appropriate for the child – have appropriate conversations that they can understand and best relate to within their capacity.
• Reassure children who may be worried about losing their remaining caregivers (Ehmke, n.d.)

For additional information, go to:

https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-with-grief/ OR https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief/

Ehmke, R. (n.d.) Heling children deal with grief: You can’t protect your kids from the pain of loss, but you can help build healthy coping skills. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief/

List of books for kids and teens on grief and loss:

• The Invisible String – helps children cope with separation anxiety, loss, and grief
• Dear Star Baby – loss of sibling due to miscarriage
• Empty and Me – loss of mom
• The Dreams We Made – loss of father
• Zora, The Story Keeper- loss of aunt
• Remembering Ethan – loss of sibling
• The Heart Never Forgets – loss of grandfather
• Abuela’s Letter – loss of grandmother
• An Ofrenda For Pedro – loss of pet
• Missing Violet – loss of friend
• Why- loss of loved one to suicide
• All The Pieces – loss of loved one to substance misuse/overdose
• Grief Is An Elephant – helps children process overall grief
• A Garden of Creatures – addresses questions about happens when we die
• See You O The Other Side – reassures children that loved ones are with us forever
• You’ll Be There – shares ways to incorporate a lost loved one’s presence in future events