Grief
Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion for people, regardless of whether their sadness stems from the loss of a loved one or from a terminal diagnosis they or someone they love have received. They might find themselves feeling numb and removed from daily life, unable to carry on with regular duties while saddled with their sense of loss.
Grief is the natural reaction to loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss. Some examples of loss include the death of a loved one, the ending of an important relationship, job loss, loss through theft or the loss of independence through disability.
Experts advise those grieving to realize they can't control the process and to prepare for varying stages of grief. Understanding why they're suffering can help, as can talking to others and trying to resolve issues that cause significant emotional pain, such as feeling guilty for a loved one's death.
Parent Resources
Grades TK-2
Articles
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help. - After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event. - Después De Una Crisis: Cómo Sanan A Los Niños (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
Websites
- The Center for Grieving Children (2020)
Resources for grieving children and their families. - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.
Grades 3-5
Articles
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help. - After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event. - Después De Una Crisis: Cómo Sanan A Los Niños (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
Websites
- The Center for Grieving Children (2020)
Resources for grieving children and their families. - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.
Grades 6-8
Articles
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help. - After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event. - Después De Una Crisis: Cómo Sanan A Los Niños (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
Websites
- The Center for Grieving Children (2020)
Resources for grieving children and their families. - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.
Educator Resources by Grade Level
Grades TK-2
Articles
- Rituals and Traditions
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help. - After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event. - Después De Una Crisis: Cómo Sanan A Los Niños (2005)
Offers tips to parents on how to help young children, toddlers, and preschoolers heal after a traumatic event.
Websites
- Supporting Grieving Students-Handbook for Teachers (2020)
Handbook for teachers on how to support grieving students - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.
Grades 3-5
Articles
- Rituals and Traditions
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
Websites
- Supporting Grieving Students-Handbook for Teachers (2020)
Handbook for teachers on how to support grieving students - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.
Grades 6-8
Articles
- Rituals and Traditions
- The Rights of a Student who is Grieving (2021)
From the National Alliance for Children's Grief - Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (2014)
Describes how school-age children may feel when struggling with the death of someone close and offers tips on what caregivers can do to help.
Websites
- Supporting Grieving Students-Handbook for Teachers (2020)
Handbook for teachers on how to support grieving students - National Alliance for Children's Grief (2021)
The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional and physical health of grieving children and their families.