Resource Center

While everyone grieves differently, there are some behaviors and emotions commonly expressed by children depending on their developmental level. A child’s developmental level is influenced by more than just their actual age. Trauma, including grief, and a variety of life challenges can inform where a child is along the spectrum of development. These stages are not rigid and a child might show a mix of responses from more than one developmental stage. Children, no matter what age, find consistency, routine, and flexibility to be helpful.

The Dougy Center partners with KinderCare Learning Companies to create and distribute resources for children from birth through preschool age. This toolkit includes interactive, age appropriate activities for children ages 0-6 related to death, dying and grief. Topics are sorted out by type of death and the person who died. Spanish toolkits are also available.

About the organization: At Dougy Center, our mission is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. We provide support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving.