Activities and Strategies
Reference
Kyle's Korner (2014). Retrieved from http://www.kyleskorner.org/default.aspx
- Using creative art projects that allow the bereaved to express themselves (like creating masks that represent their inner feelings, or shields to ward off pain).
- Writing activities, such as a letter to the deceased.
- Use peer discussion groups so that teens can process their grief with others in their age group who have are also experiencing grief.
- Discuss common grief related topics like the lack of memories, how to approach important events without
that loved one, or worrying about their current parent/guardian or other family member dying. - Listen........Listen.........Listen
- Encourage the creation of scrapbooks or memory boxes to capture special memories of the loved one.
- Answer their questions openly and honestly.
- Use straight forward terms like dead, death and died to help acceptance.
- Explain to them that everybody grieves differently and it is ok to feel what they feel even if it isn't the way everybody else feels.
- Explain that it is ok to cry or laugh when they feel like it.
- Explain that it is ok to be happy in life again even with the death of a loved one.
- Encourage commemoration of special dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and
holidays.
Reference
Kyle's Korner (2014). Retrieved from http://www.kyleskorner.org/default.aspx