Navigating loss with The Hare-Shaped Hole: Introducing grief worksheets for kids

Grief is a complex emotion, especially for children. To help guide them through the challenging process of loss, we at KiddyCharts are proud to introduce our new grief worksheets for kids, these are free, and also a companion to our free Shelf Care book club for kids as well. Don’t forget to sign up to that to get the free eBooks every month as well as these new worksheets for kids monthly too.

10 lucky members also get a copy of the book for free from Quarto Kids, the publisher, too!

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These worksheets are specifically designed to assist children in understanding and expressing their feelings during difficult times. And the book club is focused on creating positive mental health for our kids too.

Our grief worksheets for kids offer a series of engaging and therapeutic activities. From drawing exercises to writing prompts, these worksheets provide a safe space for children to explore their emotions and share their thoughts about loss.

Before we share the activity sheets for helping kids with loss and grief, here are some practical tips for helping with grief.

Top 5 tips to help kids with loss

Alongside our grief worksheets, here are five tips to further assist children dealing with loss:

1. Open Communication: Encourage children to express their feelings. Let them know it’s okay to talk about their loss and that their feelings are valid.
   
2. Assure Stability: Maintain routines as much as possible. Familiarity can provide a sense of security during uncertain times.
   
3. Express Emotions Creatively: Art, music, or writing can be therapeutic outlets for children to express their feelings.
   
4. Encourage Remembrance: Help children remember the person or pet they’ve lost. This can be through photos, stories, or keepsakes.
   
5. Seek Professional Help if Necessary: If a child’s grief seems prolonged or particularly intense, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional, or a counsellor. Helen Neale works with Headstuff ADHD Therapy, so check them out. Alternatively, there are some wonderful specialist charities that can help, such as Winston’s Wish. Don’t forget to check out our guide on how to help kids with grief from them on site alongside these worksheets.
   

Hare-Shaped Hole: A wonderful book to guide children through grief and loss

In addition to our worksheets and tips, we recommend the book “The Hare-Shaped Hole“ by  John Dougherty, and illustrated by Thomas Docherty. This beautiful book tells the story of a brave hare facing a challenging journey — one that involves loss and the process of healing.

“A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning.”

Joe Coelho, Waterstones Children’s Laureate

We believe in providing resources that support children’s emotional well-being. Our grief worksheets, coupled with these tips and recommended reading, aim to bring a gentle guidance to children navigating the complex journey of grief.

What do our grief worksheets for kids look like

Our first three sheets, include the cover, and two colouring sheets. One encouraging children to fill the hare-shaped hole with happy memories, and then to colour in a sheet with Bertle and Hertle as well.

Our next three sheets are writing prompts, but you can also use them as discussion ideas as well for your children to talk about times that we have lost things, and the final image within the book, which gives you some clues as to how Gerda understands what Bertle is going through.

It is such a charming story, and the final illustration is beautiful.

The final two sheets, one of which is talking about children’s own experience of death can be held back for older children, or used with caution depending on the class, and ideas that you want to work with.

As always, it is up to you how to engage the children with our resources:

Remember, it’s okay to seek help, and it’s certainly okay to grieve. We’re here to help every step of the way.

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We’ve got a few other book activity sheets you might like, so why not check them out as well:

We really would love to see you again, so do come back soon.

Helen

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