How To Support Kids Through Grief – Jessica Correnti, MS, CCLS

When it comes to children and grief, there's a lot we misunderstand. Adults might think they are either resilient and unaffected, too young to understand, or irreparably broken by the death of someone in their life. In reality though, their experiences of grief can be just as profound and complex as those of the adults around them.

In this episode of Grief Out Loud, Jana talks with Certified Child Life Specialist Jessica Correnti about what children actually need when someone they love dies. Drawing from more than a decade of working in pediatric hospitals and her private practice, Kids Grief Support, Jessica offers practical ways adults can help children understand death, express their feelings, and develop lifelong coping skills.

Jessica also shares the personal story of going through several miscarriages and the stillbirth of her daughter Maggie. She reflects on how her professional knowledge as a child life specialist shaped the way she and her family included their toddler son in meeting Maggie, how they continue to keep Maggie woven into everyday family life, and why simple, honest conversations help children carry grief over time rather than "move on" from it.

We discuss:

• What child life specialists do and why every family facing illness, injury, or death could benefit from their support.
• How Jessica's own experiences with pregnancy loss transformed her understanding of grief.
• Why "at least..." statements often leave people feeling more isolated.
• How to prepare children for difficult experiences using clear, concrete language grounded in the 5 senses.
• Why grief conversations don't need to be one big talk but can unfold through hundreds of small moments over time.
• Why children aren't just naturally resilient, but need support to become resilient.
• How coping strategies evolve throughout grief, for both children and adults.
• The ways Jessica continues to parent Maggie through her work, writing, and advocacy.

Jessica is the founder of Kids Grief Support and author of The ABCs of Grief children's book series, resources that help children and families better understand grief, emotions, and coping.

Learn more about Dougy Center's grief education & training offerings: https://www.dougy.org/professionals-trainings