Sadness (including Bereavement)
All children experience sadness at times, it is a normal human reaction occurring when a child feels disappointed, overwhelmed or frustrated. Below are a range of resources for you to use with you child to help them overcome and return to their place of calm.
Young children may show sadness through tears, clinginess, or changes in behaviour.
Trauma occurs when a child feels frightened, unsafe, or overwhelmed and cannot make sense of what is happening. This may show as anxiety, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, or difficulty settling. These are stress responses, not bad behaviour. It is important to note that trauma responses can display much later than when an event has occurred.
How parents can help:
- Keep routines predictable – consistency creates safety
- Name feelings calmly: “I can see you’re feeling sad”.
- Offer reassurance, comfort, and physical closeness
- Stay calm during emotional moments, children borrow adult calm.
- Let school know if changes or worries are affecting your child.
Feeling Sad Resources (activities and guides)
Book List
- ‘The Heart and the Bottle’ by Oliver Jeffers
- ‘When Sadness Comes to Call’ by Eva Eland
- ‘Sad Book’ by Michael Rosen
- ‘Willy and the Cloud’ by Anthony Browne
Book Trust Guide for Grief and Loss
