Grief
Your love and support can help children understand death and cope with grief.
Elmo Learns How to Deal with the Loss of a Loved One
Grieving may never completely end, but working through difficult feelings can get easier with time. Through support, open conversations, and finding ways to keep the person’s memory alive, families can begin to heal.
As children grow and change, their grief changes, too. These new resources can help you support children as they grieve.
Growing as We Grieve
Parents and caregivers, reflect on your own experience of grief and hear what has helped other families cope, thrive, and find joy.
Growing as They Grieve
A special guide for providers supporting children who are grieving.
Supporting Grieving Native American Children and Families
Learn ways to support Native American children and families who are grieving with compassion and cultural humility.
Jesse Expresses Grief Through Play
A video to show how children can express their feelings of grief through play — and how grown-ups can help.
Express Yourself with Elmo and Jesse
Help a child check in with and express their feelings with these interactive creative activities.
Something New
In this story, Elmo’s cousin Jesse helps remind children that big changes can mean new opportunities to learn and grow.
The Complexity of Loss
Consider different types of grief and loss.
Re-grieving as Seasons Change
A video that shows how grief can come and go throughout life.
How Children Grieve and How to Help
Consider the different ways children experience grief as they grow, and how you might help.
Disenfranchised Grief
Learn about disenfranchised grief.
Elmo and Jesse Remember Uncle Jack
A video to show that there are many ways to remember—and celebrate—a person who died.
New Family Roles
Ideas to help families navigate changes after loss.
The Giggle Game
Play this game to help children (and grown-ups) hone in on the good things in life.
You Are Special To Me
A printable to share encouragement and kindness with others.
Talking openly and honestly—and letting kids ask questions—can help them cope.
What Happened?
Adults may feel unsure about how to start a difficult conversation or what exactly to say, but it’s important to talk openly and honestly about grief.
Answering Difficult Questions
Listen and be honest as you help children understand what happened.
Coping With Big Feelings
Encourage kids to talk with grown-ups when they feel sad.
A death related to COVID-19 may be especially difficult or confusing for both children and adults. But, there are ways to help families talk about death, express their feelings, and grieve together.
Grief and Change Caused by COVID-19
It’s okay to have feelings of grief when we experience changes big and small.
Helping Children Through Grief Related To COVID-19
There are ways to help families talk about death, express their feelings, and grieve together.
Remembering
For children and adults, it’s important to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have died.
Memory Boxes
A box full of mementos can help comfort kids as they remember a loved one.
When Kids Need Special-Special Comfort
In the midst of big changes, comfort items can provide a sense of continuity in a child’s life.
People Who Care for Me
In this video Karli is making a craft project that celebrate everyone that’s helped her through tough times.
Art to Celebrate & Remember
Art can be healing. Use this tool to create art to remember a loved one.
Showing and Sharing Feelings
Naming a big feeling can help children begin to understand it, and later regulate it.
What Does Grief Look Like?
Doing open-ended art activities together helps adults and children relax and connect.
Coloring to Calm Down
Coloring can help both children and grown-ups feel more calm and grounded.
Comfort Strategies
Comfort a child in a stressful situation with these three methods.
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Growing as We Grieve
Parents and caregivers, reflect on your own experience of grief and hear what has helped other families cope, thrive, and find joy.
Growing as They Grieve
A special guide for providers supporting children who are grieving.
Supporting Grieving Native American Children and Families
Learn ways to support Native American children and families who are grieving with compassion and cultural humility.
Elmo and Jesse Remember Uncle Jack
A video to show that there are many ways to remember—and celebrate—a person who died.
How Children Grieve and How to Help
Consider the different ways children experience grief as they grow, and how you might help.
Disenfranchised Grief
Learn about disenfranchised grief.
The Complexity of Loss
Consider different types of grief and loss.
New Family Roles
Ideas to help families navigate changes after loss.
The Giggle Game
Play this game to help children (and grown-ups) hone in on the good things in life.
Discover more resources for parents, caregivers, and providers.
Children’s Feelings
When you help children to understand and express their emotions, you help them grow and thrive.
Traumatic Experiences
Caring grown-ups can help lessen the effects of trauma and show children they’re not alone.
Emotional Well-Being
Children who are healthy in mind, body, and heart can thrive in every way. Mental health IS health!
