ABSTRACT

First published in 1984. A common myth is that that young children (say around three years of age) do not understand death or give the death of friend, pet, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, other relative, or give it a Raggedy-Ann doll meaning. However, research has indicated that they do. If it is difficult for us to think about our death, it is the author’s hypothesis that to think of the death of our children is an even greater difficulty. We dread the thought of our children suffering pain, dying, and death. Similarly the thought of our children suffering grief is difficult for us to comprehend. Helping Children Cope With Grief is more universal to more than the area of grief and is a valuable tool for parents, teachers, and counselors when their goal is to develop happier, more loving children.

chapter |7 pages

Introduction

chapter |9 pages

Creating a Caring Relationship

An Open Atmosphere

chapter |32 pages

Children's Understanding and Response to Death

(With Caregiver Behaviors)

chapter |41 pages

Caregiving Aspects of Helping the Grieving Child

(Skills Needed by the “Helping-Healing-Adult”)

chapter |22 pages

Questions and Answers

chapter |14 pages

Children and Grief

Contemporary Resources