Understanding and Helping Grieving Children
Grief doesn’t skip over children — but it often gets overlooked or misunderstood.
In this episode, Dr. Z is joined by childhood bereavement expert Jacey Ludlam, M.S. from the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy to talk about what grief looks like at different developmental stages, how to spot the signs in children who “seem fine,” and how adults can offer the kind of support that truly helps.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers compassionate, practical insights into how to show up for grieving kids — without overwhelming them or shutting them down.
00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview
01:48 – How Cindy got into grief work
04:30 – Do children really understand death?
07:02 – Developmental stages of childhood grief
09:45 – Signs of grief in younger kids vs. teens
13:15 – What children often fear but won’t say
15:40 – Why honesty matters (and how to do it right)
19:22 – Common mistakes adults make with grieving children
23:10 – Using rituals and legacy items to support healing
25:55 – Grieving in schools: what teachers should know
29:15 – How to keep the door open for hard conversations
32:40 – When to consider therapy for a grieving child
35:20 – Final thoughts & practical takeaways
