Why is it important to teach about grief in schools?

Educators need to support students going through grief, which is often not covered in their training.

What role can influencers play in discussions of grief?

Influencers can help break taboos and normalize conversations around grief.

How can children learn to cope with grief?

Through discussions, creative activities, and using resources like children's books that address loss.

What is anticipatory grief?

It refers to the emotions experienced before an expected loss, such as fears about the future.

How should educators handle non-visible expressions of grief?

By being attentive and offering support even when grief isn't outwardly expressed.

Sidekick Stories - Missen en herinneren - Lies Scaut

00:33:58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjpQb-qpegE

Summary

TLDRThe podcast from Sidekicks Academy explores topics participants encounter in practice and from which they wish to hear from an expert. This episode focuses on coping with loss and mourning, particularly the impact on children and educational environments. Guest Lie Scout, a psychotherapist specializing in trauma and grief counseling, discusses the prevalence of loss among students and the limited training educators receive on supporting grieving students. The podcast emphasizes the need to normalize discussions about grief, even using influencers to break taboos. It explores models of grief, the importance of acknowledging grief experiences from an early age, and strategies for processing grief, such as utilizing children's books and creative activities. Additionally, it touches on anticipatory grief, recognizing moments of triggered grief, and providing support for students who might not visibly express their grief. The podcast also addresses appropriate responses and environments for supporting grieving students and the role of personal and cultural rituals in mourning. Lastly, it stresses the importance of community and peer support and highlights resources available to students experiencing grief.

Takeaways

🧠 Awareness and training about grief are crucial for educators.
👩‍🏫 Teachers often lack sufficient preparation on supporting grieving students.
🤝 Peer support is vital for young people's healing journeys.
📚 Children's books can aid in processing loss and grief.
🌟 Influencers can help normalize discussions around grief.
🎨 Creative activities provide therapeutic outlets for grieving students.
🔍 Recognizing non-visible grief is important for offering adequate support.
📅 Anticipatory grief about future losses should be validated.
📄 Schools should have proactive plans for supporting students in grief.
💬 Open conversations are necessary for normalizing grief in educational settings.

Timeline

00:00:00 - 00:05:00
The podcast from Sidekick Academy discusses a practical theme of missing and remembering, focusing on grief. Expert Lie Scout, a psychotherapist at The Guide, talks about trauma and grief, having written several books on grieving. The conversation highlights the prevalence of grief experiences in schools, with statistics showing that many teachers and students have faced loss. Lie discusses the taboo surrounding grief and the lack of training for teachers to handle grieving students.
00:05:00 - 00:10:00
The discussion shifts to addressing grief education's importance, suggesting making themes of loss and saying goodbye part of normal school lessons. Lie notes there's a wealth of children's books available on grief. The conversation debunks the outdated five stages of grief model, explaining the dual process model emphasizing oscillation between mourning the loss and adjusting to life post-loss.
00:10:00 - 00:15:00
Lie emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and working through grief, even from a young age, and recognizing anticipatory grief over potential losses. The importance of supporting students through creative outlets and understanding their need for privacy is stressed. Practical advice is given for teachers to be gentle but maintain routine to help grieving students reintegrate into normal life.
00:15:00 - 00:20:00
The podcast explores the reluctance of children and teenagers to burden parents with their grief, leading them to seek support from peers. Various support systems like organized grief camps are mentioned as beneficial but potentially intimidating. They discuss the phenomenon of delayed grief and suggest that teachers stay informed about students' backgrounds to better support them.
00:20:00 - 00:25:00
Addressing different forms of grief, including anticipatory grief tied to losing potential futures, the speakers highlight the need for recognition and support from educators. Creative expression and having tangible personal items are encouraged to help process grief. The complexities of dealing with feelings of guilt and navigating grief when students are emotionally distant are also discussed.
00:25:00 - 00:33:58
Concluding, there is an emphasis on customized approaches for every individual's grief journey, acknowledging the absence of a universal blueprint for processing grief. Various resources including apps and materials for supporting children in schools are mentioned. The episode highlights the adaptability required in helping students handle grief, promoting open conversation and emotional understanding among peers.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

Why is it important to teach about grief in schools?
Educators need to support students going through grief, which is often not covered in their training.
What role can influencers play in discussions of grief?
Influencers can help break taboos and normalize conversations around grief.
How can children learn to cope with grief?
Through discussions, creative activities, and using resources like children's books that address loss.
What is anticipatory grief?
It refers to the emotions experienced before an expected loss, such as fears about the future.
How should educators handle non-visible expressions of grief?
By being attentive and offering support even when grief isn't outwardly expressed.