Chasing Away the Blues: Practical Interventions for Elementary Students Navigating Grief

Grief manifests uniquely in elementary-aged children and is often misunderstood by adults. This interactive 90-minute workshop equips school personnel with practical, play-based strategies to support grieving students. Developmental stages of grief and the signs of distress will be addressed. Drawing from play therapy principles, the focus will be on accessible, low-cost interventions, including expressive arts, therapeutic storytelling (bibliotherapy), and sand tray techniques; that can be seamlessly integrated into the school setting. The session will also cover essential multicultural considerations and how to create a supportive environment, encouraging children to express pain through play rather than avoid it. Attendees will leave with a ready-to-use "Grief Toolkit" of activities to implement in their schools. Presenters will engage in discussion around areas to enhance parental consent in regard to Senate Bill 12.

Learning Objectives:

1.) Attendees will examine and understand types of loss children experience and how they respond with common signs of distress by age group. 2.) Attendees will learn specific interventions, and practical applications to help grieving children process and cope with loss. 3.) Attendees will discuss ways to increase parental consent regarding grief services related to Senate Bill 12.

Speakers:

Sloane Sivek

Ana Garcia

Marita Bailey