By: Matt Winiecki and Mark Roethle
EMA 576 Advanced Classroom Management
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An estimated 3.5% of children under age 18 in the United States have experienced the death of a parent
The loss of a friend or family member through death is a significant wound for all us, especially children. Every year 8 million people experience the death of a parent, sibling, child, or grandparent, and many others lose friends to death. One study in Sweden found that by age 13, 33% of children have lost a family member to death. Studies in the United States show that 1 out of every 25 children experience the death of a parent by the age of 15. The process of grieving can occur over a long period of time, and fluctuate in intensity. Teachers, like other adult care givers in the child’s life, can help facilitate the process of grieving. To effectively help a grieving student, teachers need to be aware of pertinent research and strategies for grief counseling. While the effects of grief can vary from student to student, there are common aspects that should be recognized. This site explores the experience of student grief, its effects and how caregivers like teachers can help the process.
Grief is a normal reaction to the death of someone significant.
Circumstances of Death
Each of these situations brings its own unique aspects to the grieving process
Unexpected death
Accidental
Sudden health related
Deliberate suicide
Inadvertent suicide (drug related death)
Sudden due to violence
Death in military combat
Expected death
Health related (can be long term).
Age related (grandparent).
References
Dennis, D. (2009). Living, Dying, Grieving. Chapter 9: Death of a Loved One (p 87). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, LLC.
Kyle's Korner (2014) Guide for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.kyleskorner.org/default.aspx
Preidt, R. (2014). Children Who Lose Close Relative at Risk of Mental Problems: Study. Health Day- News for Healthier Living. Retrieved from: http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/bipolar-affective-disorder-news-60/losing-close-family-member-in-early-childhood-lnked-to-slightly-higher-risk-of-psychosis-683992.html
EMA 576 Advanced Classroom Management
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
An estimated 3.5% of children under age 18 in the United States have experienced the death of a parent
The loss of a friend or family member through death is a significant wound for all us, especially children. Every year 8 million people experience the death of a parent, sibling, child, or grandparent, and many others lose friends to death. One study in Sweden found that by age 13, 33% of children have lost a family member to death. Studies in the United States show that 1 out of every 25 children experience the death of a parent by the age of 15. The process of grieving can occur over a long period of time, and fluctuate in intensity. Teachers, like other adult care givers in the child’s life, can help facilitate the process of grieving. To effectively help a grieving student, teachers need to be aware of pertinent research and strategies for grief counseling. While the effects of grief can vary from student to student, there are common aspects that should be recognized. This site explores the experience of student grief, its effects and how caregivers like teachers can help the process.
Grief is a normal reaction to the death of someone significant.
- Children need to be told the truth about death.
- Each child's grief is as unique to him or her as was their relationship with the deceased.
- Grieving children often feel alone and misunderstood.
- Children will experience grief over the death of significant people at different times throughout their lives.
Circumstances of Death
Each of these situations brings its own unique aspects to the grieving process
Unexpected death
Accidental
Sudden health related
Deliberate suicide
Inadvertent suicide (drug related death)
Sudden due to violence
Death in military combat
Expected death
Health related (can be long term).
Age related (grandparent).
References
Dennis, D. (2009). Living, Dying, Grieving. Chapter 9: Death of a Loved One (p 87). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, LLC.
Kyle's Korner (2014) Guide for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.kyleskorner.org/default.aspx
Preidt, R. (2014). Children Who Lose Close Relative at Risk of Mental Problems: Study. Health Day- News for Healthier Living. Retrieved from: http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/bipolar-affective-disorder-news-60/losing-close-family-member-in-early-childhood-lnked-to-slightly-higher-risk-of-psychosis-683992.html