Helping the Grieving Child in School. Fastback 460.

This booklet provides short treatment options for educators, counselors and others on grief issues that today's youth often face. Children may encounter the trauma of fatal illness, accidents, suicide, homicide, and terrorism that they experience either directly or indirectly through the media. They can also face abuse, divorce, multiple moves, and numerous other types of trauma. By learning to create classroom lessons that encourage children to talk, write, play, and act out their complex situations and concerns, teachers can help students keep from being distracted and preoccupied by unexpressed feelings and thoughts. The more educators are aware of common signs of grief in children, the better they can develop teachable moments. A description of the grief process is provided along with examples of how children show their grief. Common ways are explained about how grief is manifested in children with Attention Deficit Disorders. Strategies for helping the grieving child, including ways to respond; allowing for expression of emotion; encouraging picture sharing; and providing for reality checks are all described. A list of resources includes the titles of nine books for parents and educators; seven books for young children and five for teenagers; three videotapes; and four articles. (JDM)