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What to say to a student who lost a friend?
Keep the focus on the child who is grieving and give them plenty of space and time to talk. Consider saying something like: “I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you,” or “I wonder what this is like for you,” and then offer your time and attention as a good listener.
How do you say when someone dies?
Here are some commonly used things to say when someone dies:
- ”I’m so sorry to hear about your loss”
- “My sincere condolences”
- “You have my deepest sympathy”
- “We’re all thinking of you”
How do you talk to students about death?
If possible, speak to the grieving student’s class about grief and loss and what that looks and feels like. Ask the class what experiences they may have had with loss in general, what it was like, how they handled it. Discuss what the grieving student might be feeling and how the class might be supportive.
How do students cope with death?
5 Tips for Supporting Grieving Students
- Help Younger Students Understand What Has Happened.
- Invite Older Students to Talk.
- Allow Children to Express Themselves.
- Reach Out to Parents or Caregivers and Offer Assistance.
- Provide Learning Supports.
- Resources.
What to say to a teenager who lost a friend?
Telling the bereaved teen to “be strong” may cause anxiety and cause them to hide their emotions or act “fine” when they really are not. Instead, tell the teen that it is okay to cry, to distance themselves, and to do what brings them comfort (so long as they do not turn to self-destructive behaviors).
How do you tell students a classmate died?
Discuss death in developmentally appropriate terms for students. Use words such as “death,” “die,” or “dying” in your conversations and avoid euphemisms such as “they went away,” “they are sleeping,” “departed,” and “passed away.” Such euphemisms are abstract and may be confusing, especially for younger children.
What happens when a classmate or student dies?
When a classmate or student dies, it sends the message that this could happen to you. What you take away from this experience and how you cope with your grief becomes important as you learn what it feels like to suffer this type of loss.
Why do students grieve when a student dies?
This is regardless of whether you knew the student well or even at all. Their death tends to have a ripple effect that causes many students to grieve their loss. One reason is that most school-aged children or young adults have never been exposed to death or dying. Many have never contemplated death or even the possibility of their mortality.
How to respond to a student or staff death in school?
Responding to a Student or Staff Death in a School Setting When a death occurs, activate the school’s crisis team and plan to address the loss. Coordinate efforts with other schools that may also be impacted. First, it is extremely important to verify the information (e.g., from family members or local authorities).
How can we honor the memory of our deceased classmates?
A great way of getting everyone in the classroom involved in honoring the memory of their classmate is to circulate a small memory box in the classroom and ask each student to put inside it anything they want that reminds them of their classmate.