Resources for and About Very Young Children (Ages 0-5)
In the words of leading loss and grief educator Alan Wolfelt, PhD, “Anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve.” This makes sense, but adults often feel helpless if we know that little kids must be suffering but we don’t even know how much they’re conscious of, how much they understand, or what grief might look like or feel like in a mind that is still early in its development. And if substances are involved in the loss, the questions grow more complicated.
Clicking on the "VIEW" buttons in the boxes below will take you to resources developed by national experts, and some of them by children who have experienced profound loss and grief and found great resilience. These resources include checklists, podcasts, videos, infographics, articles, activities, and websites where you can find more resources. The activities are particularly important, because children learn and integrate their experiences through play. What you learn on this journey might make your support for very young children safer and more effective.
About Very Young Children
Developmental Differences
Table on developmental differences in reacting to death, from Judi's House/JAG Institue
Supporting Preschoolers
"Preschoolers and Grief: Can They Even Understand?" from the Dougy Center
Nurturing Resilience
Guidelines for supporters of grieving children, from the Wayfinder Family Co.
The Supporter's Role
Sharing With Your Child After a Loss
Tips on communication for parents and other supportive adults, from the Wayfinder Family Co.
Listening on Repeat
A guide for supporters, focused on listening deeply, from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
Grieving a Substance-Related Death
Tips for supporting children, from the National Alliance for Children's Grief
In the Words of Kids Who Have Experienced Grief
Grief Feels Like
Highly creative animated video in the words of kids and teens, from the Dougy Center
Let's Hear it for the Kids
Video on grief in the words of kids and teens, from the Dougy Center
All the Pieces
"All the Pieces: When a Loved One Dies from Substance Use," a Hallie Riggs video from the APA
Age-Appropriate Activities
Yougest Grievers: 10 for 10 Activities
Activities from the Dougy Center, "for when emotions run high"
Dear...A Letter to My Person
Tools from the Dougy Center yo help children write a letter to a lost loved one
Aldo's Adventures in Grief
Aldo the Llama's experience of grief, from the Dougy Center.
Create a Support Chain
Activity for creating a paper chain of sources of support, from the Dougy Center.
Grief Creature
A drawing and coloring activity, so young children can share their experience, from the Dougy Center
Hard Days Safety Plan
A self-care worksheet from the Dougy Center that kids can use on difficult days
Cuaderno de Actividades
Actividades para inspirar a los niños a construir un mundo mejor....
New Ways to Ask for Help
A coloring exercise from Sesame Workshop, with tools for help-seeking
The Power of Positive
A variety of tools from the Sesame Workshop to help kids love themselves