For many children, pet death is the first time they will experience grief and loss. Children’s reactions to the death of a pet will depend upon their age and developmental level. Guiding children through the loss of a beloved pet in a positive way will help them to handle grief in the future.
Resource Type: Guidance
When a Sibling Dies
In the aftermath of the death of a sibling, a child needs answers but often does not know how to ask the questions. This guide contains helpful tips for child care providers and parents.
When Children Are Placed in Foster Care
When children are removed from their families due to abuse and/or neglect, there are five emotions that most children who are in foster care typically experience: confusion, anger, ambivalence/mixed feelings, fantasizing/wishful thinking and identification with their birth family. In this guide, you’ll find suggestions suggestions for helping a child navigate these emotions.
Understanding Maturational and Situational Losses
There are two types of losses that occur in everyone’s life. “Maturational losses” predictably occur during the life cycle. “Situational losses” are caused by unexpected or unusual circumstances. Children will likely experience both types during the preschool years, and will need adult support and recognition of these losses.
Understanding What Grief and Loss Looks Like to a Preschooler
Learn what grief and loss looks like to a preschool-age child, and what you can do to help.
When a Friend Dies
At some point in their childhood, most children will experience the death of a friend. It can be challenging to break the news to a child that his or her friend is gone. The death of a friend is difficult for children to understand. How kids respond depends greatly on their age, experiences, and personality.… Continue reading When a Friend Dies
When a Grandparent Dies
Most kids lose a grandparent at some point in their lives. A grandparent’s illness and death can disrupt daily routines and send family emotions into high gear. Children who are too young to understand the complexities of what’s going on use their behavior to tell the adults in their life that they’re having difficulty dealing… Continue reading When a Grandparent Dies
Helping a Child Cope with Stress
A variety of helpful tips for helping children cope with stress, especially after a loss.
Helping a Child Cope With the Loss of a Teacher or Classmate
Children spend a great deal of their time in preschool with teachers and other children. Even at the earliest of ages, young children develop meaningful relationships with their classmates. Teachers have important roles in the lives of children and when they are suddenly absent for a long period from school a child suffers a loss.… Continue reading Helping a Child Cope With the Loss of a Teacher or Classmate
Helping a Child Cope With the Serious Illness of a Family Member
Young children can have a hard time understanding illness and disease. Because they can really only understand what they can observe with their senses, it is very difficult for them to understand the biology of the body and how illness effects the person. The child may feel responsible for the family member’s illness and may… Continue reading Helping a Child Cope With the Serious Illness of a Family Member