Understanding Childhood Grief: A Call to Action
Peter’s Place along with other grieving centers across the nation will observe National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November. This month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact a death has on a child or teen, and supplies resources and comfort where it is needed most to those who are grieving in our communities.
Childhood bereavement is a critical public health issue and is tragically misunderstood. Because children grieve differently from adults, their responses are not always noticeable to their parents, teachers, or even their support professionals. Children often grieve in isolation which can lead to devastating consequences from lack of appropriate support. The 2024 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) developed by Judi’s House/JAG Institute reports that 1 in 11 children in Pennsylvania will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. This statistic more than doubles by the age of 25.
Left unaddressed, grieving children risk a myriad of social, academic, developmental, and mental health issues that can have lasting repercussions. At Peter’s Place, we infuse comfort and kindness into everything we do. As a child’s grief is validated, they become empowered and have the opportunity to heal. Peter’s Place continues the commitment to being a trusted source of grief support throughout the Philadelphia five-county area, ensuring that no child ever grieves alone.
Learn more about Onsite and School-Based programs here.
Resources to Support Grieving Children
- Tips for Grieving Kids
- Tips for Grieving Teens
- Tip Sheet for Adults – Talking to Children About Death
- Recommended Books for children ages 4 to 13, teens, and adults
- Learn more about the Greater Philadelphia Grief Collaborative, a dedicated partnership of five centers across Philadelphia and the five-county area that serve grieving children, teens, and adults.
Through the services Peter’s Place provides, we hope to make healing more accessible to children who have been isolated by their losses, and empower more caregivers, teachers, and counselors to recognize and support children in their bereavement journeys. Come together to bring awareness to children’s grief this November!