Loss and Bereavement Lapbook – Item 127

The lapbook

The Loss and Bereavement Lapbook will help children who have lost someone to death. It could also be used for the death of a pet (something we have all had to deal with at some point). Please adapt as necessary.

My ‘Remembering you’ lapbook can be built with a child, combining lessons and creativity and craft. Each component can be a lesson or part of a lesson. It is something for the child to take away at the end of your sessions. You could easily fill 4 to 6 lessons with what is in this lapbook. There are two versions, one in black and white so the child can colour the lettering etc and one in colour where they can just cut and stick. *Please note the leaves and tree for the back of the lapbook can only be printed in colour. By creating this you are helping the child have some tools for coping.

It is important with bereavement and loss that you do not jump in too quickly to do direct work but allow the child to lead you. Direct work should only be done after several months and with permission from family. If a child is struggling and your efforts are not making any difference then you must refer the child for bereavement counselling from professionals.

Do offer a listening ear and support the child to maintain routines as much as possible and giving them some time out if they need it. This lapbook is perfect for working with a child because it is non threatening and you can let the child lead. Asking about feelings, the child’s support network and looking at some of the activities included in the first aid kit (many of them practical and lovely to do). Also opening the door for allowing them to share any worries or any questions they might have.

All you need is an A3 piece of card, card and paper for printing, a stapler, and a glue stick.

Included in the pack:

• Name – pupil writes their name in a colourful way – they could write in bubble writing or decorate it anyway they wish. Why do they like their name? How did they get their name? Do they know of anyone they admire with the same name? Do they have a nickname?
• Picture– either take a photo of the pupil to stick here or ask them to draw themselves.
• Front cover title – Talk about what it means to remember people or pets.
• Who helps me – Discussion and reassurance that the child has a support network around them. People or pets or organisations that are there for them. They are not alone! Ask them to write someone on each petal.
• Fill the clouds with joy – Cloudy days feel like sad days and this metaphor is used with this resource for children to fill those clouds with joy or happiness. Fill them with happy memories to remind them that this sadness will not last for ever. There are small clouds to write on.
• My questions or worries – Some little question cards for children to write their worries or questions down. If they can’t write because they are young then you scribe for them or just give them some small blank plain pieces of paper for them to draw their worry. Help them to answer the questions. It might be you that can help or you could suggest they ask their parents, teachers, friends, siblings etc. With worries help them either make a plan if it is a worry in their control or let the worry go if it is not in their control. They could rip up the worry as one way of letting go.
• About me – A few questions for them to answer. Staple this booklet at the top, to the actual lapbook.
• First aid kit – This contains 24 small cards with suggestions of things to do. Hopefully these things will help them heal. If you are working just on loss and not bereavement then adapt where necessary. Some of the cards do mention death or dying.
• Feelings tree – after each session ask the child to write their feeling word on a leaf and stick it to the tree. This is how they feel AFTER your session. Hopefully they will start to feel better.