The Grieving Child in the Classroom integrates the latest research on children's bereavement and adapts it for use in the classroom. Chapters tackle the neurological, cognitive, emotional, and social effects of childhood grief and demonstrate the ways in which those reactions can manifest in the classroom. By recognizing individual differences in coping styles and considering variables such as developmental stage, nature of the loss, and availability of support, teachers and staff can become better equipped to respond to the bereaved child's needs. The book incorporates theoretical explanations of grief responses as well as practical suggestions for supporting bereaved children in real-world settings. Whether the loss affects one child or the entire student body, educators can turn to this comprehensive guidebook for ways to support grieving students in their classrooms.

Introduction: Why Educators Should Be Knowledgeable About Grief -- SECTION 1: Defining Grief Within a Developmental Context -- 1. Neuronal Pathways in the Brain -- 2. The Role of Memory -- 3. Cognitive Development and Understanding Death -- 4. Children's Psychological, Social, and Emotional Development -- 5. Attachment and Relationships -- 6. Loss as Potential Trauma -- 7. Definitions of Grief -- SECTION 2: Reactions to Grief and Loss During Early and Middle Childhood -- 8. General Principles of Childhood Grief -- 9. Patterns of Grief Reactions -- 10. Emotions of Grief-Sadness -- 11. Emotions of Grief-Anger -- 12. Emotions of Grief-Fear -- 13. Emotions of Grief-Guilt -- 14. Learned Helplessness After a Loss --15. Effects in the Classroom -- 16. Diagnosable Issues -- SECTION 3: How to Help Grieving Students -- 17. What to Say to a Grieving Child -- 18 What Not to Say to a Grieving Child -- 19 What to Do for the Grieving Child -- 20. Sublimation, Catharsis, and Finding Meaning -- 21. Starting a Grief Support Group -- 22. Founding a Nonprofit Organization -- 23. When Grief and Loss Hits the Community -- 24. When the Deceased Is a Pet -- 25. Grief During the Holidays -- 26. The Need for Grief Education, Planning, and Training -- 27. Resilience -- 28. A Few Final Thoughts -- Appendices: Appendix A: Statistical Results of Childhood Traumatic Loss Survey Study, Ursinus College (2016) -- Appendix B: Childhood Traumatic Loss Survey, Ursinus College (2016) -- Appendix C: Comments From College Students Obtained Via Interviews and Online Surveys, Ursinus College (2016-2019) -- Appendix D: Online Sources of Support and Advice -- Appendix E: Annotated Bibliography of Children's Books That Deal With Death, Loss, and Grief -- Appendix F: Family Movies That Depict Loss Sensitively and Honestly -- Appendix G: Lesson Plans and Ideas for a Grief Support Group -- Appendix H: Sample Nonprofit Outreach Letter -- Appendix I: Sample Nonprofit Information Sheet for Stakeholders -- Appendix J: Sample Nonprofit Mission Statement -- Appendix K: Tips and Guidelines for Group Facilitators -- Appendix L: Sample Letter to Send to Parents and Guardians -- Appendix M: Sample Application and Consent Form -- Appendix N: Sample Confidentiality Pledge for Group Members -- Appendix O: Information Sheet on the Stages of Grief -- Appendix P: Handout on Coping During the Holidays -- Appendix Q: Project Ideas for Grief Support Groups -- Appendix R: Activities to Be Used With a Grief Support Group -- Appendix S: Suggestions for Activities to Help Kids Cope With Grief -- Appendix T: Grief Experiences Worksheet -- Appendix U: Grief Definitions Worksheet -- Appendix V: Coping Strategies Worksheet -- Appendix W: My Loved One Worksheet -- Appendix X: Dead or Alive Worksheet -- Appendix Y: Grief Scenarios Worksheet -- Appendix Z: Scavenger Hunt Worksheet -- References -- Index.