The role of parents, educators, and counselors supporting bereaved preschoolers and elementary school children

Abstract

This critical analysis reviewed the young child’s cognitive understanding of death and the young child’s expression of grief as a foundation for parent, teacher and counselor understanding of children’s needs. The supportive role of the elementary school teacher and counselor was investigated to include a review of post intervention strategies and proactive death education programs. Through post interventions and death education programs children can be assisted in developing the verbal-conceptual skills necessary to understand death concepts. The importance of validating a child’s grief responses and facilitating the child’s own way of expressing grief was emphasized. Supportive parents, teachers, and counselors can help children to develop coping strategies for past and future losses.