Asbestos

Grief

Children and Grief

Children handle grief differently than adults. Unlike adults who are most likely to withdraw from people around them and prefer to grieve alone, children talk to everyone. They tell others, even strangers, about their loss and then watch the listener's response. This is how children learn to respond to death, and how they learn other behaviors as well. They will ask various questions and should receive honest answers from their parents and caretakers. Children need ongoing care and the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings. Since they have trouble putting words to their emotions, their actions often "speak" for them. Various age groups also deal with grief differently. This section will look into the different actions of the age groups; address some commonly asked questions, and methods of treating childhood grief.