the deceased and the circumstances surround- ing the death. The child will need additional time, space, and opportunity to grieve and grow. Spend Time Playing Together Children often communicate their deepest feelings through actions. It is best, therefore, to respond to their feelings with actions. Parents and caregivers may support their children by taking time to sit down and play with them, not guiding the play, but allowing them to express whatever they want through the use of toys. Responses like, “Your doll got angry when his Daddy left,” and “Your doll is crying in the bed. What is she sad about?” are affirming and en- courage children to work through their grief. Understand the Importance of Missed Events If Dad had been teaching his son how to cast a line or how to pitch a tent, and then died, this may be the focus of much of the child’s concern. It may seem that he is more upset over fishing and camping than over the loss of his father. This is not the case, but it is the way young children are more able to express loss. The child needs sympathy and support for the feelings and not criticism or rejection because of the manner in which they are expressed. Protect Children from the Emotional Collapse of Parents or Caregivers While sharing as much of the family crisis as possible, protect the child from witnessing an emotional collapse on the part of one on whom he/ she depends. Children can usually handle feelings of sorrow, loneliness and anger, but to witness
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