Ages 3-5:
When Tommy’s pet fish dies, his mom explains, “Sometimes, little ones, animals like our fish, get very old or sick and they can’t stay with us. They go to sleep and don’t wake up. It’s okay to feel sad about this.”
Ages 6-8:
Lucy’s grandmother has recently passed away. Her father explains gently, “Sometimes, people we love like grandma get very sick. The doctors can’t make them better, and they have to leave us. It’s okay to miss them and feel sad.”
Ages 9-11:
Jack’s family had to move away from his old town, leaving his friends behind. His mother consoles him, saying “It’s hard to leave friends behind, it’s like losing a part of our life. It’s normal to feel sad and to mourn this loss. But remember, you can still keep in touch and make new friends too.”
Ages 12-14:
Sarah’s close friend moves away. Her father talks to her, saying “Loss isn’t just about death. It’s also about losing someone from our daily life. It’s hard, it hurts and it’s okay to grief about it. You will learn how to handle this pain with time and it’s okay to look for support.”
Ages 15-18:
After the death of Tom’s grandfather, his mother consoles him by saying, “Loss is a part of life, it’s something we all must encounter and it’s normal to feel deep sadness and grief. It’s okay to express your emotions, and remember, it’s not a weakness to seek help if you’re struggling.”;
In all these instances, it’s important to validate the child’s feelings, letting them know that it’s normal to feel sad and miss the person, pet, or situation they’ve lost.
