Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

Book excerpt: Whether it’s the grief of bereavement, the strain of divorce or the uncertainty of a new home or school, loss and change affect children in countless ways. Nevertheless, teachers and parents frequently find themselves ill-equipped to help children struggling with the difficult feelings that these situations, and others like them, bring. Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change offers guided support for teachers, health professionals and parents. Designed for use with children aged 4-10, this guide offers: Case studies illustrating various signs of grief and loss, to help the caregiver spot and manage a child’s pain. Therapeutic stories designed to be read with the child, and with prompt questions to encourage discussion. Creative activities and exercises that can be developed into a therapeutic ‘toolkit’ to support the child and the caregiver themselves. With chapters that move from Loss and Change to Resolution and Resilience, addressing the needs of both the child and caregiver, Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change will be an invaluable therapeutic tool.