The way children grieve will be determined by their attachment style. Research completed by Dr Colin Murray Parkes shows us that the attachment style and vulnerability that is evident in childhood continues into adult life, and may have an impact on the way individuals react to losses such as bereavements in adult life.
Teachers can provide children with the secure base that makes them feel safe enough to face the struggles associated with loss, and change that can make them feel very unsafe.
1/ Learn to recognise a child's attachment style so that you can offer them the support they actually need to build a secure base for them.
2/ If a child does not have a secure attachment style, the loss will trigger other endings, so your response needs to be sensitive to this.
To help guide teachers with supporting children through grief I have created a free 7 step download Seven Steps to Help Teachers Help Children Cope with Grief, Loss and Change.
You can also read my book, Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change: A guide for professionals and parents (Routledge).
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