Primary School
Primary school age children often maintain a broad spectrum of understanding of death. Much of their understanding depends upon the maturity level of the child. Children this age may feel that death is a temporary state. Also, the child may think that the deceased person can still have feelings and experience pain and discomfort. They may seek deeper explanation related to where the person has gone or what is going to happen to their body. In order to help children of primary school age grieve, parents should do the following:
-recognize their feelings as valid
-reassure them that they are safe
-keep routines normal
-explain death as a natural part of life rather than using euphemisms
-physically comfort them as needed
-help them memorialize the loved one in their own unique way
