How to Navigate Grief
How do we go about helping our children navigate loss? Whether it is holidays, family traditions, devastating events such as natural disasters many of our children are experiencing loss.
This month's caregiver tip discusses the challenging topic of grief. It is our hope to provide free resources for difficult topics, giving words for caregivers and children to help open lines of communication. How can we openly discuss how we miss our relatives and our homes? Joycabulary acknowledges these challenges and empowers adults to help their children heal.
Here are a few possible steps to start exploring this tough topic:
Provide kid-friendly definitions for various feelings including grief. Grief is defined as great sadness. Ironically the antonym provided is joy.
Put feelings into words, see: Lesson Plan: A Little Scribble Spot.
Research accredited websites that discuss the topic of grief.
Read interactive read alouds on loss to build a safe community around your child during this difficult time.
Discuss the book to provide the words so your child can express his/her feelings and concerns.
Where Do Our Heroes Go? by Megan Hildebrand
The caregiver book suggestion this month is Where Do Our Heroes Go? by Hudson Valley, NY author Megan Hildebrand. Her book addresses the questions children have around death and loss.
We hope parents and caregivers can use this book as a tool to start hard conversations, allowing children to lead and explore their feelings.
Other possible books about grief and loss:
Pet Loss
Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
Parent Loss
The Memory String by Eve Bunting
Hope and Connection
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Moving
Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Med Medina
Battling Cancer
Making Happy by Sheetal Sheth
We want all children to be seen and heard. Do you have any book suggestions for loss? Let us know!
