FMP - Brief 1 - Content for Loss

Death

About affects of death on a child

How product will help

Possible content for suggestion list

Source: http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/death_and_loss.htm

When adults decide to move or separate, usually after anticipating and gradually adjusting to the transition, children have no choice but to accept their decision. Since children have less time and fewer skills to help them adjust to these situations, they are more vulnerable to loss than adults.

The pain of loss is related to the nature of the transition. When loss is sudden and unexpected, there is much less time for the child to begin adjusting. The anticipated death, separation, or move is easier because there has been time to think, anticipate, mourn, and slowly reshape relationships. Gradual, predictable transitions, though painful, make loss easier to deal with.
The pain from loss is also related to the nature of the relationship. A child experiences the most distress when he is close to and dependent upon the one he is separated from. If the move or the separation takes the child away from the loved one, he may experience the same intensity of pain as if this were a death.
Sometimes the teacher is the adult most aware of the child's pain. She sees the sadness, the lethargy, and the learning difficulties. Loss affects a child's capacity to thrive in learning and social settings. Parents, often coping with the same loss, may underestimate the impact of the separation, move, or death on the child, thinking, "children are resilient." Underestimating the vulnerability of the grieving child actually prolongs the child's pain and increases the probability that the effects of the loss will persist.

Invite children to talk about feelings they have regarding the event or death. Then you can let them take the lead as to when, how long, and how much this is discussed.

If children sense that you are upset by the loss, they may not bring the topic up even when they want to. Be a good role model, showing children how to express emotions in a healthy and nondisruptive fashion

In Summary: Content to use -

Children have no choice other than the death of a loved one. Children have fewer skills to help them adjust to such a situation, and are more vulnerable to loss than adults. A teacher is often the most aware adult, of a childs pain as a result of less.  A child's sadness and lethargy can be apparent, along with learning difficulties. Loss affects a child's capacity to thrive in learning and social settings.

Invite your child to talk about their feelings. This allows them to take the lead of the conversation period, topic and what is discussed. You need to be a role model, if children sense you are upset by a death, they may not speak; be a good role model.

How memory box will help:

The memory box product will allow your children to create something special for them to remember the loss of a loved one, and use it as a way of storing their feelings and memories in a healthy manner.

Suggestion list:

Photographs

Letters

Postcards

Trinkets

Jewellery

Drawings

Dried flowers