Talking About Death and Bereavement in School : How to Help Children Aged 4 to 11 to Feel Supported and Understood

Children experiencing bereavement are often confused, unprepared, and in need of help and support from those around them. It is important that school teachers and staff know how to respond to bereavement and how they can best help the child. This short, easy to read book offers simple but important advice and guidance for school teachers and staff on what to do when a child is grieving. It includes advice on explaining death to children, insights into how children may be feeling and how they may react, and ways in which they can be supported. This book also covers how bereavement can affect a child and how it can affect the whole school in the case of a death of a pupil or staff member. It also stresses the importance of teaching the facts of death to children and includes ideas on how to incorporate this into lessons. This book is ideal for all staff in a school setting who are in need of easily digestible and practical guidance on how to support children after bereavement.

Ann Chadwick is a retired qualified social worker and senior lecturer in social work. She has written bereavement materials and led workshops throughout the UK for bereavement counselling agencies.