Introduction

The loss of a loved one can be an incredibly challenging experience, especially for children. It can disrupt their daily lives and impact their performance at school. However, the school environment can also provide stability and support during these challenging times. As educators, parents, and carers, our shared responsibility is to assist children in coping with grief effectively while ensuring their academic progress and emotional well-being remain intact.

This guide will explore various strategies and activities designed to support children in school after they have experienced a bereavement. By creating a compassionate and understanding atmosphere, we can help them navigate this difficult journey while ensuring they continue to thrive academically.

Activities to Support Children in School After a Bereavement

Communication and Awareness:

• Begin by conversing with the child to understand their feelings and experiences. Let them know that you are there to support them.
• Inform school staff, including teachers, counsellors, and administrators, about the child's loss, ensuring everyone knows the situation and can provide appropriate support

Adjustment Period:

• Recognise that grief can affect a child's concentration and behaviour. Give them time and flexibility to adjust to their emotions and new circumstances.
• Offer the option of a shortened school day or a quiet place to retreat when needed.

Buddy System:

• Pair the grieving child with a buddy or a peer mentor who can provide emotional support and be a friendly presence during class and recess.

Regular Check-Ins:

• Schedule regular check-ins with the child to discuss their feelings and offer a listening ear. Make these meetings a safe space for them to express their emotions.

Memory Project:

• Encourage the child to create a memory project related to their loved one. This could involve writing a story, drawing pictures, or presenting a small project to the class. It can help them process their feelings and share their memories.

Flexible Assignments:

• Be flexible with assignments and deadlines. Allow the child extra time when necessary and consider alternative ways to demonstrate their understanding, such as through creative projects or oral presentations.

Grief Support Groups:

• Connect the child with grief support groups or counselling services outside of school. These can provide additional support and a safe space to discuss their emotions.

Teacher Collaboration:

• Teachers should collaborate to ensure a consistent and supportive approach across all subjects. Sharing insights and strategies can help maintain the child's academic progress.

Routine and Structure:

• Maintain a consistent daily routine, as it can provide a sense of stability and security. Ensure that any changes or disruptions to the routine are communicated in advance.

10. Peer Education:

• Arrange for the child to share their experience with classmates in a presentation or through a Q&A session. This can foster empathy and understanding among peers.

11. Memorial Activities:

• Organise memorial activities or events in the school, such as planting a memorial tree, creating a memorial wall, or holding a remembrance ceremony. These activities can provide closure and support for the grieving child and the school community.

12. Encourage Self-Care:

• Teach the child about self-care techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and stress-reduction activities, to help them manage their emotions during the school day.

Conclusion

In times of grief, children need our understanding and support to continue their educational journey successfully. By implementing the strategies and activities outlined in this guide, we can create a nurturing school environment that helps grieving children cope with their loss, adjust to their emotions, and maintain their academic progress. Together, as educators, parents, and carers, we can assist children to heal and flourish after a bereavement, ensuring they find stability and solace within the classroom.

Trauma-Focused Activity for Children: "Healing Through Art"

Art can be a powerful tool for children to express and process their emotions, including those related to trauma and grief. This "Healing Through Art" activity is designed to help children explore their feelings and begin the healing process in a creative and supportive environment.

Materials Needed:

1. Art supplies (crayons, coloured pencils, markers, watercolours, paper, etc.)
2. Blank sheets of paper
3. Magazines or newspapers for collage (optional)
4. Glue and scissors (if using collage materials)
5. A comfortable and quiet space

Instructions:

Setting the Stage:

• Start by creating a safe and welcoming environment. Ensure that the child feels comfortable and relaxed.

Emotion Exploration:

• Begin by having a conversation with the child about their feelings and the emotions they are experiencing due to their trauma or grief. Encourage them to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with.

Select an emotion:

• Ask the child to choose one emotion that they want to focus on during the art activity. It could be sadness, anger, confusion, or even a positive emotion like love or gratitude.

Express Through Art:

• Provide the child with art supplies and a blank sheet of paper. Ask them to use colours, shapes, and images to represent the chosen emotion. They can draw, paint, or create a collage that symbolises how they feel.

Open-Ended Creation:

• Encourage the child to let their creativity flow without any specific rules or expectations. Remind them that there are no right or wrong ways to create art in this context.

Reflect and share:

• After they've finished their artwork, invite the child to reflect on what they've created. Ask questions like:
  • • "What does this artwork represent to you?"
    • "How does it connect to the emotion you chose?"
    • "Are there any specific details or symbols in the artwork that hold special meaning?"
• Let the child share their thoughts and feelings as much as they are comfortable with.

Optional collage component:

• If the child prefers, they can create a collage using images and words from magazines or newspapers to supplement their artwork. This can add depth and layers to their expression.

Safe Space for Expression:

• Remind the child that this activity is a safe space for them to express themselves, and their emotions are valid.

Closure:

• Conclude the activity by thanking the child for sharing their art and emotions. Let them know that it's okay to revisit this activity whenever they need to express themselves or work through their feelings.

This "Healing Through Art" activity allows children to process their trauma or grief in a non-verbal way, offering them an opportunity to communicate their emotions and experiences in a safe and creative manner. Art can be a therapeutic and healing outlet, and it can help children on their journey towards recovery and resilience.