Children have lots of questions about death.
Adults sometimes think that by not talking to children about death, they are protecting them. But death is very much part of ordinary life for children - it is in the books they read, the films they watch, the computer games they play.
If you would like to know more about how to talk to children about death, check out the resources below.
Helping children understand death
This short leaflet provides information to help you help children understand death
Resources for schools
The Resilience Project: Educating and Supporting Children around Death, Dying and Bereavement consists of five lessons covering the subjects of death, loss and grief. The lessons are aimed at pupils in Primary Six or Seven (aged nine to 12 years) and address experiences and outcomes across Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
Developed by Child Bereavement UK, the Elephant's Tea Party is a free initiative for schools that raises the topics of death and grief in a sensitive and age-appropriate way.
Winston’s Wish has a range of relevant resources on its website.
Bereavement
The UK Childhood Bereavement Network has a range of resources for schools, including resources to help schools address bereavement sensitively across the curriculum, and a ‘Growing in Grief Awareness Programme’ which includes an audit for schools to see how ‘grief’ aware they are: Childhood Bereavement Network
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network has compiled a range of useful resources to help a teacher support a bereaved child and talk to the other students about what has happened: Teachers & Schools - Irish Childhood Bereavement Network
You may also wish to check out our information on: How can I support a young person who is bereaved?
