Loss in Lockdown

This matrix may be a useful starting point for looking at feelings of loss about school with individuals and groups. You may find that children and young people have very strong feelings about the loss of the old way of being at school now.

You will also know the importance of helping them to develop strategies to find ways to feel stronger and more able to cope on a day by day basis. We talk about developing our resilience, which is often described as being able to bounce back from a challenging situation.

An approach that is grounded in empathy, kindness and understanding will enable you and your colleagues to develop an effective framework to support children and young people with their feelings of loss, move through the grieving process and begin to recover and renew.

Resources to help you support children and young people

• Child Bereavement: Information on supporting children through difficult times
• Place2Be: Coronavirus and helping children to process loss
• Podcast – Lisa Cherry with Amanda Seyderhelm, play therapist: Talking to Children about Grief and Loss during COVID-19
• Individual and collective grief and loss in relation to Covid 19- Dr Karen Treisman