Children can experience grief over the death of a loved one or a profound loss such as the divorce of parents. Grief can be very difficult for children to overcome since they do not have a strong understanding of what it is that they are experiencing. There are several stages of grief that a child can move through. However, every child will not experience these stages in the same way or at the same time and may even skip stages.
Denial
One of the first stages of grief a child may experience is denial. According to Gerard A. Jacobs, Ph.D., with the University of South Dakota, children may simply try making believe that the person will be coming back shortly. They may imagine the person has gone on a short trip away. The child may not fully understand what death is and this can lead to denial. Helping the child understand death or answering the child's questions about death or loss when they come up is essential during this stage.
Anger
Anger is another stage that the child may move through when experiencing grief. According to Gerard A. Jacobs, Ph.D. with the University of South Dakota, a child may have anger at the person who has died or the parent who has left the home. Children may feel abandoned and become increasingly angry at the situation they are experiencing. They may also begin acting out during this stage and may show anger at others for no apparent reason. For example, children may become angry at friends while they are playing and lash out at them.
Bargaining
Bargaining is also a stage that a child will move through as they grieve. According to the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, the bargaining stage can be filled with trying to make deals with God to try and get the loved one back. The child may mistakenly believe that if they are good, the parent will return or the loved one will be brought back to them. This can be a difficult and confusing time for a child to experience and parental supervision and guidance is extremely important to move through this stage.
Depression
Children who are depressed may have difficulty sleeping or may sleep too much. They may not eat at all or they may binge on food. According to the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, children can also have a lot of difficulty concentrating on activities at school and can even opt out of being with their friends. Parents and family members should keep a very watchful eye on the child for signs and symptoms of depression.
Acceptance
The last and final stage that a child will move through during grief is acceptance. According to the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, acceptance comes after the child has accepted the death or loss of a loved one. Children may still experience some emotions from time to time but will have accepted that they cannot bring the loved one back. They may return to what they normally did on a daily basis and will enjoy their friends and family one again.
