Responding to Separation Grief and Loss in the Early Years
Course Description
This session aims to provide support strategies for those working with young children who are dealing with separation and loss at an early stage in their development. It covers the scale of the issue and the specific sensitive circumstances of separation and/or divorce, imprisonment of a parent and bereavement. It is a practical session and candidates are given a wide range of strategies to use and resources to link to and take away for future reference. The session also links closely to meeting EYFS requirements.
The course is delivered over 1 x 3hr session but can be extended to 1 x 6hr session if required.
Aims and Objectives
Links to relevent EYFS requirements are explored and how these can be met practically
To consider different types of loss
The effects of separation and divorce and how to address this
To consider imprisonment and long term illness of a parent/carer
To develop an understanding of how children may display their feelings and how we can respond appropriately
To highlight the importance of partnership with parents/carers
To consider the effects of bereavement for young children and develop a greater understanding of this issue
To consider the importance of listening to children and understanding how children grieve and respond to loss at different ages
To consider bereavement in the ealy years and how we can address this sensitively and practically - links to planning activities and specific strategies/ activities we can use with a child who has been bereaved
Common mistakes to avoid and questions children may ask and answers we may provide
To provide a comprehensive resource guide for practitioners to use and refer to when necessary
Links
Links to EYFS
- 1. A unique child
- 2. Positive relationships
- 3. Enabling evironments
- 4. Learning and development
Links to ECM
- 1. Be healthy
- 2. Stay safe
- 3. Enjoy and achieve
- 4. Making a positive contribution
- 5. Achieve economic well being
Links to CommonCore
- 1. Effective communication and engagement with children and families
- 2. Child and young person development
- 3. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child
- 4. Supporting transitions
- 5. Multi-agency working
- 6. Sharing information
Links to KEEP
- 1. Understanding of the individual and diverse ways that children learn and develop
- 2. Knowledge and understanding in order to support and extend childrens learning in and across all areas and aspects of learning
- 3. Practice in meeting all childrens needs, learning styles and interests
- 4. Work with parents, carers and the wider community
- 5. Work with other professionals within and beyond the setting
- 6. Relationship with both children and adults