LISD Flyer: Grief & Loss (English)
Last Updated: July 2026
What is Grief?
Grief is the emotional, mental, and/or physical response to a loss, often due to death but also encompassing other life changes, such as the end of relationships, loss of identity, or illness. Sometimes people experience periods of grief in anticipation of a loss. Grief is deeply personal and can occur differently in everyone, shaped by the nature of the relationship, the degrees of support, circumstances of the loss, cultural influences, and individual coping mechanisms as well as other considerations. While it can be an intense experience, it is considered a natural human reaction to loss that generally subsides over time for most people.
How is Grief/Loss Expressed?
Grief can be expressed in a variety of ways, including:
- Sadness
- Anger
- Guilt
- Denial
- Confusion
- Relief
- Anxiety
- Numbness
- Helplessness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
Ways to Help Your Child Cope with Grief/Loss
The first thing to remember is that everyone grieves differently. You may see your child crying one minute and then playing with toys or laughing with friends the next. This is completely normal. The mood shifts do not mean that they are done grieving or that they don't care. It's a coping mechanism to help deal with the variety of emotions they are feeling.
Here are some ways to help your child cope with grief/loss:
- Keep your child's age in mind. Answer their questions directly without giving details that they may not be ready for. Young children may not be able to grasp the concept of "forever" and may have questions.
- Stick to a routine as much as possible. The comfort of predictability is helpful in a time when emotions are running high.
- Encourage them to express their emotions. It's good for kids to express whatever emotions they are feeling. You can use books about loss to spark the conversation. Since many children aren’t able to express their emotions through words, other helpful outlets include drawing pictures, building a scrapbook, looking at photo albums, or telling stories.
- Don't ignore your own grief. Children will often imitate the grieving behavior of their parents. It is important to show your emotions as it reassures children that feeling sad or upset is okay. However, reacting explosively or uncontrollably teaches your child unhealthy ways of dealing with grief.
- Seek help if needed. If your child seems unusually upset or unable to cope with the loss, reach out for help. Contact your school counselor, pediatrician, or other community resources for help.
LISD Website
The WARM Place
TEA Information about Grief
Have more questions? Need more information?
Reach out to your student's school counselor today! 😀