Understanding young children’s various reactions to the death of a loved one and how they cope with grief enables settings to better support them and their families, explains Annette Rawstrone

More than 100 children experience the death of a parent in the UK every day, and by primary school there is likely to be one child in every class who has experienced the death of an immediate family member. So, the chances are that during your professional life you will work directly with a child who is grieving. How you respond to and support these children and their families will directly influence how they learn to cope and live with their bereavement.

‘The death of a parent or sibling is one of the most fundamental losses a child will ever face. The lives of those who are left behind will change forever,’ says Rebekah Lawson, North West family services team leader for Winston’s Wish.

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