What do children do to express grief?
The ways children express grief are usually different from the way adults express it. Children are not always able to use words to express their feelings. Instead, they often express them through behavior. Even children who are able to express themselves verbally may not always be able to express the many, sometimes conflicting, emotions they have. Children may: • Become very quiet or very talkative. They may become overactive. • Have temper tantrums, angry outbursts, or refuse to obey adults. • Have difficulty getting along with other children. • Return to younger behaviors, such as wetting the bed after they have been dry for months or years. • Cling to adults and want extra time and attention. • Have difficulty completing school work. Their grades may drop. How children express grief usually depends on how they perceive the loss (including death). Each child’s perception of loss varies according to age and emotional development. In general: • Children younger than age 2 cannot under
