Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

• 2014

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About

This tip sheet explains how young children may react to the death of someone close, especially if it happened in a traumatic way. It gives tips for caregivers to help children cope, like talking about feelings, keeping routines, offering comfort items, and telling the truth simply. Caregivers are encouraged to reassure children that the death was not their fault and help them remember good memories. If grief affects daily life or causes big problems, it suggests seeing a mental health professional who works with traumatized kids.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Mental Health; Natural Disasters; Severe Weather; Trauma; Violence

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Families & Children

Emergency Management Stages: Mitigation; Response; Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Bereavement; Child, Preschool; Death; Emotions; Grief; Mental Health Services; Parent-Child Relations; Caregivers; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Institutions: National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

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The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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