Children may grieve the changed behavior of family and friends. Family members are given permission to see each other's mourning, if possible. It's important not to shield children from emotions. Offering them the option to be alone or with others will facilitate their feeling of being included and give them permission to be with their feelings as well. A Child's Feelings Children's feelings are their allies.
Feelings help children to pay attention to their loss.
Through this attention comes their own understanding about the death they are grieving. A young child does not understand the abstract concept of death. Children of all ages must go through their fearful feelings until they come to their own under- standing. If children receive sufficient attention and nurturing during this fearful time, they will recover a sense of the basic dependability of life. Listen to a child's fears and validate them as difficult feelings to feel.