Knows that a loss has Now Encourage the child to happened, but often May feel that he/she express his/her Preschool sees it as temporary caused the loss by feelings through play. Is very curious and thinking things” Provide ways for the 3-5 years ”bad may ask sensitive or things child to remember the “wishing questions with change” magical people and places – manner thinking he/she is separated May feel abandoned Has trouble from. understanding Reassure the child that “good vs. bad” you will take care of him/her. Blames himself/herself for the loss Has problems developing a positive Now understands that Now Encourage the child to a permanent loss Lack of energy to do talk about his/her Grade cannot be reversed things feelings and don’t be School Often feels responsible Chronic grief judgmental. for the loss, may see it Give the child clear 6-12 as punishment for Later information about the something he/she has Ongoing problems in loss to reduce his/her done or thought school, including feelings of Often hides his/her difficulty making responsibility and/or feelings about the loss, friends guilt. carrying on as if Problems knowing nothing has happened right from wrong Feels vulnerable and different from others Understanding How a Child Responds to Loss, Continued Age How the Child Possible Effects of What You Can Do Sees and Reacts to Loss Loss
Preschool 3-5 years Knows that a loss has happened, but often sees it as temporary Is very curious and may ask sensitive questions with manner May feel abandoned Now May feel that he/she caused the loss by thinking ”bad things” or “wishing things change” – magical thinking Has trouble understanding “good vs. bad” Blames himself/herself for the loss Has problems developing a positive Encourage the child to express his/her feelings through play. Provide ways for the child to remember the people and places he/she is separated from. Reassure the child that you will take care of him/her. Grade School 6-12 Now understands that a permanent loss cannot be reversed Often feels responsible for the loss, may see it as punishment for something he/she has done or thought Often hides his/her feelings about the loss, carrying on as if nothing has happened Feels vulnerable and different from others Now Lack of energy to do things Chronic grief Later Ongoing problems in school, including difficulty making friends Problems knowing right from wrong Encourage the child to talk about his/her feelings and don’t be judgmental. Give the child clear information about the loss to reduce his/her feelings of responsibility and/or guilt. Understanding How a Child Responds to Loss, Continued Age How the Child Sees and Reacts to Loss Possible Effects of Loss What You Can Do
Trainer%20Manual%20-%20Session%205%20Option%20A.docx