Helping children navigate grief & loss: An ABC Guide

Support Your Child Through Grief & Loss with the ABCs of Compassionate Conversations

Talking about grief and loss with children may feel challenging, but open and honest conversations are essential for their emotional well-being. Our resource provides simple ABC steps to help parents and caregivers create a supportive, understanding, and comforting environment for children navigating loss.

The ABCs of Helping Children Navigate Grief & Loss

A – Acknowledge:
Recognising grief is the first step. Be open and honest about loss using age-appropriate language. Encourage your child to share their feelings and ask questions. Offer reassurance that emotions like sadness, confusion, and anger are natural responses.

B – Belong:
Help your child feel safe and connected by fostering a sense of security. Provide plenty of hugs, reassurance, and opportunities to remember positive moments. Be present, listen without judgment, and create a loving environment where they feel supported.

C – Comfort:
Loss affects every child differently, so follow their lead. Encourage play, maintain routines, and use storytelling to help them express emotions. Keep communication open and offer gentle reminders that they are loved and not alone in their grief.

Why These Conversations Matter

Grief and loss can deeply impact a child’s emotional development. Children are highly sensitive to the emotions of those around them and may struggle to process change. By fostering open discussions, offering reassurance, and providing loving guidance, parents can help children navigate loss in a way that promotes healing and resilience.

Download the resource and start the ABC Journey today

Ready to support your child through grief and loss with understanding and care? This resource offers practical tips and meaningful guidance for families.

We’re committed to your privacy. The information you provide to us is that we can contact you about our relevant content, products, and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, check out our privacy policy

In partnership with

Campaign partnership with the Institute of Wellbeing
Share this article
Related Resources
BHSFL Logo

Building Amazing Brains: The Power of Everyday Moments

BHSFL Logo

Encouraging meaningful conversations with children: An ABC guide

BHSFL Logo

Helping children navigate grief & loss: An ABC Guide

BHSFL Logo

The ABCs of meaningful play for child development

BHSFL Logo

The ABCs of talking about race and racism at Home

BHSFL Logo

Create a Healthier Home Learning Environment with Simple ABC Reading Steps

How resilient are you?

How is your self esteem