November  is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, a time to recognize the unique challenges that young ones face when coping with loss. Child life specialists play a vital role in supporting grieving children by providing a safe space to express their feelings and fears and providing developmentally appropriate information about the death or loss they experience. 
Therapeutic activities and play are also powerful tools to help children process grief and loss. Here are a few activities Certified Child Life Specialists, caregivers, and family members can use to support grieving children:

● Memory Boxes: Children can create boxes to store keepsakes, pictures, notes,
and special items to remember their loved ones.

● Thumbprint Tree: Children can create a thumbprint tree using paper or
cardstock and paint. Each thumbprint represents a memory, and they can write a
message about their loved one alongside it. This tree can be displayed in a
special place, offering the child a comforting spot to reflect and remember.

● Butterfly painting: Children can create a butterfly painting dedicated to their
loved ones who have passed. Butterflies are the symbol for Children's Grief Awareness and represent hope.

● Family Scrapbook: Children can work with family members to create
scrapbooks filled with pictures, quotes, and heartfelt messages to honor their
loved ones. This scrapbook serves as a meaningful way for children to reflect on
special memories they shared.

● Family playlist: Create a playlist of the child’s and their loved one’s favorite
songs and listen to it together. Dancing to the music provides a fun way to
release pent-up emotions and energy while helping the child feel connected to
their loved one through shared memories and movement.

○ Find more activities here:
https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/patient-education/bereavement-activiti
es

https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/participate/index.shtml
#activities

Activity ideas provided by Haley Collin