Kids and Grief and Loss

Grief affects us all. It is one of the most powerful emotions people experience. During this COVID pandemic period, loss has visited many families, and children have an especially difficult time dealing with their grief. Fears of separation and the finality of death is a lot to process. While we cannot protect a child from death and the pain it causes, we can help the child feel secure during this most challenging time.

Clinicians at Bradley Hospital developed this resource to be a creative outlet for children and a child-friendly tool for parents and caregivers. Tori Turtle is the main character in this interactive coloring book in which children to journey through the emotions that they maybe feeling and some strategies to deal with their worries. Kids can read the pages, color them at their leisure and refer back to them when feeling uncertain.

The Book is available in English and Spanish. It can be downloaded at lifespan.org/kidsgriefandspirituality. A printed hard copy can be obtained from Bradley Hospital (401) 432-1000 and from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches (401)461-5558 or riscc@councilofchurchesri.org. Copies can also be requested from rev.gene@icloud.com

Going Back to School: How to Help Children Feel Safe During the Pandemic

Source: Lifespan.org

Mary Sullivan, PhD, MA, BSN
July 31, 2021

Many of us have spent the last 18 months training children to avoid COVID-19 risk within the safety of our homes. Now, children are returning to classes in a school setting that probably won't look like the one they left.

There will be masks, distancing between friends and plexiglass dividers. It will be made even more difficult as COVID rules at home may be different than those at school. While some children will welcome a hug from friends, others will find the same gesture alarming. This is going to be a challenge, so we should plan ways to help our children get comfortable venturing out of their comfort zones and reengaging with others, again.