The Colors of Grief : Understanding a Child's Journey Through Loss From Birth to Adulthood

Following a life shattering experience, a child enters upon a confusing emotional journey that can be likened to a prism of many colors of dark feelings like sadness and fear, but also warm feelings of love and courage. The way they deal with these feelings has a lasting impact on their life as they grow. The Colors of Grief explores strategies for supporting a grieving child to ensure a healthy growth into adulthood. Drawing on the latest research in neurology and psychology, Janis Di Ciacco illustrates the childa??s grieving process using a model of development that employs a??key stagesa??. These range from preverbal infancy (0a??2 years) through to early adulthood (about 25 years). She shows how a childa??s progress through these stages can be impaired by an early encounter with loss, which can contribute to cognitive, emotional and social difficulties. Drawing connections between bereavement, attachment issues and social dysfunction, the author suggests easy-to-use activities for intervention at each key stage, including infant massage, aromatherapy and storytelling. This is a revealing and accessible book for both parents and professionals working with, or caring for, bereaved infants, children or young adults. front cover......Page 1 the Colours of Grief: Understanding a Child’s Journey through Loss from Birth to Adulthood......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 9 PREFACE......Page 15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 19 PART I: The Well of Grief......Page 21 1. Introduction: Shattered Dreams......Page 23 2. Loss and Separation......Page 26 Bonding and attaching......Page 27 The uniqueness of childhood bereavement......Page 28 Effects on the child’s health over the years......Page 30 Social dysfunction and attachment disorders......Page 32 Hidden regulators wrapped in everyday life’s routine......Page 34 Fear and anxiety......Page 38 Anger......Page 41 Shame and guilt......Page 42 Depression......Page 44 Withdrawal, indifference, and despair......Page 45 Stage I: Shock and numbness......Page 47 Stage II: Denial......Page 49 PART II: Grief Through the Ages......Page 57 5. Introduction: Grief and Developmental Stag......Page 59 Marnie’s story: Early separation......Page 65 Henry’s story: Loss in the second year......Page 69 The developing brain......Page 71 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 76 7. Toddler through Early Childhood (Ages 2 to 6)......Page 83 Sarah’s story: Memories of bereavement......Page 84 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 87 8. Middle Childhood (Ages 6 to 10......Page 95 Andy’s story: Loss of a father......Page 96 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 103 THE AGE OF TRANSITION......Page 112 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 114 10. Early Adolescence (Ages 11 to 15)......Page 120 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 121 Hannah’s story: Death of a parent......Page 125 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 127 12. Late Adolescence (Ages 17 to Mid-twenties)......Page 130 Cognitive, emotional, and physical considerations: Useful checklists......Page 131 Conclusion......Page 135 Massage......Page 139 Puzzle Technique......Page 140 Rock Technique......Page 143 Aromatherapy......Page 149 Stress balls......Page 153 Storytelling......Page 154 Window cards......Page 156 Pain comforters......Page 157 APPENDIX 3: MARY POPPINS MILK RECIPE......Page 159 GLOSSARY......Page 160 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 164 SUBJECT INDEX......Page 169 AUTHOR INDEX......Page 175

Following a life-shattering experience, a child embarks upon a confusing emotional journey that can be likened to a prism of many colors: of dark feelings like sadness and fear, but also warm feelings of love and courage. The way they deal with these feelings has a lasting impact on their life as they grow.

The Colors of Grief explores strategies for supporting a grieving child to ensure a healthy passage into adulthood. Drawing on the latest research in neurology and psychology, Janis Di Ciacco illustrates the child's grieving process by describing their key stages of development, which range from preverbal infancy (0-2 years) through to early adulthood (about 25 years). She shows how a child's progress through these stages can be impaired by an early encounter with loss, which can lead to cognitive, emotional and social difficulties. As well as explaining the connections between bereavement, attachment issues and social dysfunction, the author also suggests easy-to-use activities for intervention at each stage, including infant massage, aromatherapy and storytelling. This is a revealing and accessible book for both parents and professionals working with, or caring for, infants, children or young adults who have experienced loss.

About the Author:
Janis Di Ciacco, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and a certified school psychologist

Following a life-shattering experience, a child embarks upon a confusing emotional journey that can be likened to a prism of many colors: of dark feelings like sadness and fear, but also warm feelings of love and courage. The way they deal with these feelings has a lasting impact on their life as they grow. The Colors of Grief explores strategies for supporting a grieving child to ensure a healthy passage into adulthood. Drawing on the latest research in neurology and psychology, Janis Di Ciacco illustrates the child's grieving process by describing their key stages of development, which range from preverbal infancy (0-2 years) through to early adulthood (about 25 years). She shows how a child's progress through these stages can be impaired by an early encounter with loss, which can lead to cognitive, emotional and social difficulties. As well as explaining the connections between bereavement, attachment issues and social dysfunction, the author also suggests easy-to-use activities for intervention at each stage, including infant massage, aromatherapy and storytelling. --From publisher's description