Dealing with grief and loss

Early Childhood Support Assistant • Additional courses

In this course, early childhood support assistants gain a thorough insight into dealing with grief and loss in everyday daycare life. First, we explain why it is important to deal with grief and loss in a professional and child-friendly manner from an early age and what special characteristics children between the ages of three and six display when experiencing loss. Building on this, we present typical triggers and expressions of childhood grief – from emotional reactions and physical symptoms to playful and verbal forms of processing. One focus is on concrete pedagogical approaches: How can daycare staff initiate conversations in a child-friendly manner, validate feelings, provide support through rituals and involve parents in the process? Pitfalls in dealing with grief are also highlighted, and strategies for self-care and professional boundaries are presented. The aim of the course is to give early childhood support assistants confidence in dealing with grieving children, to reduce their anxiety and to provide practical ideas for a daycare routine that is empathetic and professional and that, at the same time, provides relief.