- The Child Mind Institute notes:
Most children know something about death or have experienced a form of loss. Parents can't take a child's pain away, but parents can help children cope in healthy ways.
The way children respond to death is different from adults. They may go from crying to playing. That's normal. Playing is a way of coping with their feelings. It's also normal for kids to get angry, to feel sad, get anxious and may also to act younger than they are.
It's important to help your child express their feelings. There are lots of books on death for kids. Reading books and telling stories or looking at pictures of the person who died can help children express their feelings. Also, expressing your own sadness lets children know it's okay to be sad.
