Wholesale Cremation Creation
five essential ways to help grieving children:
Person-to-person connections. Because children see themselves
through the eyes of other people, their mental picture of reality is
shattered when someone dies or moves. They need affectionate
physical interaction (such as hugs and quiet converstions) with those
people who remain to create a new picture of reality.
Soothing repetitive activities. Repetitive motion--rocking, sand and
water play, walking--replicates the natural heartbeat and the rhythm of
breathing, allowing grief energy to move through the body at a regular
pace and reduce tension.
Keepsakes and memorials. Creating something visual expands the
child's capacity to think about and remember a loved one. Planning the
ceremony--a funeral, perhaps, or the anniversary of a birthday--is as
valuable as taking part in it.
Large muscle activities. Hitting people and throwing things are
examples of how kids demonstrate grief with angry, aggressive
behavior. An adult's job is to help kids find appropriate big-muscle
activities such as gardening, drumming or throwing balls so that grief
energy can be expressed safely.
Small muscle activities. Making something they can see, feel and touch
that represents their memories and feelings gives children a sense of
control and power. The process--drawing, working with clay, or beading
an Indian "time ball"--is more important than the product.
by Laurie Kanyer, M.A.
Person-to-person connections. Because children see themselves
through the eyes of other people, their mental picture of reality is
shattered when someone dies or moves. They need affectionate
physical interaction (such as hugs and quiet converstions) with those
people who remain to create a new picture of reality.
Soothing repetitive activities. Repetitive motion--rocking, sand and
water play, walking--replicates the natural heartbeat and the rhythm of
breathing, allowing grief energy to move through the body at a regular
pace and reduce tension.
Keepsakes and memorials. Creating something visual expands the
child's capacity to think about and remember a loved one. Planning the
ceremony--a funeral, perhaps, or the anniversary of a birthday--is as
valuable as taking part in it.
Large muscle activities. Hitting people and throwing things are
examples of how kids demonstrate grief with angry, aggressive
behavior. An adult's job is to help kids find appropriate big-muscle
activities such as gardening, drumming or throwing balls so that grief
energy can be expressed safely.
Small muscle activities. Making something they can see, feel and touch
that represents their memories and feelings gives children a sense of
control and power. The process--drawing, working with clay, or beading
an Indian "time ball"--is more important than the product.
by Laurie Kanyer, M.A.