The Grieving Child in the Classroom: A Guide for School-Based Professionals

✍ Scribed by Sue Trace Lawrence

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2019
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 245
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The Grieving Child in the Classroom integrates the latest research on children’s bereavement and adapts it for use in the classroom.

Chapters tackle the neurological, cognitive, emotional, and social effects of childhood grief and demonstrate the ways in which those reactions can manifest in the classroom. By recognizing individual differences in coping styles and considering variables such as developmental stage, nature of the loss, and availability of support, teachers and staff can become better equipped to respond to the bereaved child’s needs. The book incorporates theoretical explanations of grief responses as well as practical suggestions for supporting bereaved children in real-world settings.

Whether the loss affects one child or the entire student body, educators can turn to this comprehensive guidebook for ways to support grieving students in their classrooms.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Author Biography
Introduction: Why Educators Should Be Knowledgeable About Grief
SECTION 1 Defining Grief Within a Developmental Context
1 Neuronal Pathways in the Brain
2 The Role of Memory
3 Cognitive Development and Understanding Death
4 Children’s Psychological, Social, and Emotional Development
5 Attachment and Relationships
6 Loss as Potential Trauma
7 Definitions of Grief
SECTION 2 Reactions to Grief and Loss During Early and Middle Childhood
8 General Principles of Childhood Grief
9 Patterns of Grief Reactions
10 Emotions of Grief—Sadness
11 Emotions of Grief—Anger
12 Emotions of Grief—Fear
13 Emotions of Grief—Guilt
14 Learned Helplessness After a Loss
15 Effects in the Classroom
16 Diagnosable Issues
SECTION 3 How to Help Grieving Students
17 What to Say to a Grieving Child
18 What Not to Say to a Grieving Child
19 What to Do for the Grieving Child
20 Sublimation, Catharsis, and Finding Meaning
21 Starting a Grief Support Group
22 Founding a Nonprofit Organization
23 When Grief and Loss Hits the Community
24 When the Deceased Is a Pet
25 Grief During the Holidays
26 The Need for Grief Education, Planning, and Training
27 Resilience
28 A Few Final Thoughts
Appendices
Appendix A: Statistical Results of Childhood Traumatic Loss Survey Study, Ursinus College (2016)
Appendix B: Childhood Traumatic Loss Survey, Ursinus College (2016)
Appendix C: Comments From College Students Obtained Via Interviews and Online Surveys, Ursinus College (2016–2019)
Appendix D: Online Sources of Support and Advice
Appendix E: Annotated Bibliography of Children’s Books That Deal With Death, Loss, and Grief
Appendix F: Family Movies That Depict Loss Sensitively and Honestly
Appendix G: Lesson Plans and Ideas for a Grief Support Group
Appendix H: Sample Nonprofit Outreach Letter
Appendix I: Sample Nonprofit Information Sheet for Stakeholders
Appendix J: Sample Nonprofit Mission Statement
Appendix K: Tips and Guidelines for Group Facilitators
Appendix L: Sample Letter to Send to Parents and Guardians
Appendix M: Sample Application and Consent Form
Appendix N: Sample Confidentiality Pledge for Group Members
Appendix O: Information Sheet on the Stages of Grief
Appendix P: Handout on Coping During the Holidays
Appendix Q: Project Ideas for Grief Support Groups
Appendix R: Activities to Be Used With a Grief Support Group
Appendix S: Suggestions for Activities to Help Kids Cope With Grief
Appendix T: Grief Experiences Worksheet
Appendix U: Grief Definitions Worksheet
Appendix V: Coping Strategies Worksheet
Appendix W: My Loved One Worksheet
Appendix X: Dead or Alive Worksheet
Appendix Y: Grief Scenarios Worksheet
Appendix Z: Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
References
Index