It is important to check out these feelings and to talk about them. Remember that children learn from adult behaviour and seek permission from adults. This kind of communication can help to strengthen family bonds and reduce individual isolation.
‘If my daddy has died that means mummy can die too and who will look after me?’ Sometimes children become, ‘little mum’ or ‘little dad’ and assume adult responsibilities. It is important to acknowledge changes that have happened in the family as a result of the loss and to work out appropriate tasks. Grieving children still need to experience being children.
Play is natural to children. It helps children regain a sense of control and mastery. It is a safe way of giving expression to what is happening ‘within’. It is a way to express all kinds of feelings. Play offers adults the opportunity to talk with children about safe ways of expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Children’s concepts of death
Children tend to say things directly, simply and clearly and their stage of development influences their understanding of death. There are three concepts that are important for children to grasp:
- Death is irreversible and final; it is not ‘a trip’ from which they will return.
- Death brings about non-functionality – life and body functions stop, the person is not asleep.
- Death is inevitable – everyone will die some time.
Most children understand these concepts by the age of 9 years. Studies indicate that children’s understanding of death is related to age, verbal ability and cognitive development. Children who are bereaved before the age of seven are likely to come to a partial understanding earlier.
It is important to avoid using euphemisms such as ‘sleeping forever’ or ‘left us…’ as these phrases cause confusion for children.
Common grief responses in children
Behavioural
Being more dependent on parents, clingy, not wanting to go to school, feeling sick more often, wanting to sleep with parents, needing extra help with tasks normally done alone, withdrawal. There may be themes of death in their stories or play.
Cognitive
Shortened concentration span, confusion, difficulty in making decisions, nightmares, lack of self-esteem.
Emotional
Disbelief, numbness, sadness, disorganisation, panic, helplessness, anger, guilt, fear, desire to be an innocent child again, anxiety about others dying.
Physical
Headaches, tiredness, stomach aches, lack of energy, hyperactivity, restlessness, nervousness, appetite changes, sleeping changes.
Spiritual
Why did this happen? Where is Daddy now? Where is heaven? What do you do there? How is God looking after Mummy?