Although no one is immune to grief and everyone experiences it in different ways and intensities, children may be affected more difficultly as they don’t fully understand the situation as much as adults. Children need ways to be able to express their feelings and feel safe despite the loss.
Here are some activities to help young ones experiencing a loss:
- Art Therapy – ask the child to draw her feelings and explain her drawing to you.
- Discussion of Coping Techniques – give examples of how some people grieve to let the child know that she’s not alone.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation – have him take a deep breath and encourage him to squeeze for 15 seconds and relax each part of his body until he reaches the top of his head.
For more on these activities, click here.