Description
A workbook, From Sad to Glad by Harriet Hodgson, designed to help grieving children express their feelings and cope with the loss of a loved one through various activities and drawings.
Understanding Grief in Children
The workbook aims to help children express and process their grief through various activities.
- The death of a loved one significantly impacts a child's life, leading to changes in their emotional state.
- Grief is a part of life that children learn to accommodate daily.
- Adults can support grieving children by providing love, reassurance, and guidance.
Activities to Express Feelings
The workbook includes creative activities designed to help children articulate their emotions.
- Activities include drawing, coloring, and completing pictures to express feelings.
- Children are encouraged to draw their feelings, memories, and family, fostering emotional expression.
- Activities like "Scribble Art" and "Feeling Faces" help children identify and communicate their emotions.
Effective Communication About Death
Guidelines are provided for adults on how to talk to children about death.
- Use clear language, such as "died," to avoid misunderstandings.
- Encourage sharing memories and stories about the deceased to keep their memory alive.
- It’s important to validate children's feelings and allow them to express sadness or anger.
Activities for Remembering Loved Ones
The workbook includes sections for children to remember and honor their loved ones.
- Children can draw pictures of their loved ones and create "Remembering Things" to hold onto.
- Activities like "A Happy Time" encourage children to reflect on positive memories.
- The "Wishing on Stars" activity allows children to make wishes related to their grief.
Celebrating Progress in Grief
The workbook concludes with a celebration of the child's journey through grief.
- A certificate is provided to acknowledge the completion of the workbook and the progress made.
- Children are encouraged to feel proud of their efforts in understanding and processing their grief.
- The final activity reinforces the idea that feelings of sadness can evolve into feelings of happiness over time.
Book Information
Author: Harriet Hodgson
Illustrator: Roxanne Wach
