The New York Life Foundation
Helping Children, Families, and Communities Grieve
Sesame Workshop and the New York Life Foundation share a deep commitment to supporting families with young children – especially as it relates to coping with death, and the multi-faceted, ever-changing, enduring nature of grief.
With philanthropic investment from the New York Life Foundation, one of the largest funders and champions in the childhood bereavement field, children and families dealing with the death of a loved one will have access to new resources that can help them cope. For young children, understanding the permanence of death is extremely difficult. They may experience many different emotions and are not always able to express how they feel, which can be frustrating. And, though processing grief may become easier over time, grieving never truly “ends.” These new resources aid children throughout the grieving journey by providing thoughtful ways to remember loved ones and effectively express and manage big feelings associated with grief and loss.
The new resources can be found in English and Spanish at sesame.org/grief. Additionally, they are being distributed through the Sesame Street in Communities program, an initiative for community providers who serve families and help children face challenges big and small. Teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and any providers working with families and children, are invited to use and share Sesame Workshop’s large and growing library of bilingual resources and professional development tools, created to support them in their vital work.
The initiative includes multimedia, bilingual (English and Spanish) resources that focus on helping children better understand their own experience of grief and develop empathy for others experiencing grief. The resources also help caregivers continue to parent well and equip community providers with tools to support children and families through several types of grief. This partnership also addresses COVID-19-related deaths and how loss experiences may vary across communities and cultures.
Growing as We Grieve
Parents and caregivers, reflect on your own experience of grief and hear what has helped other families cope, thrive, and find joy.
Growing as They Grieve
A special guide for providers supporting children who are grieving.
Supporting Grieving Native American Children and Families
Learn ways to support Native American children and families who are grieving with compassion and cultural humility.
The Ways We’ve Grown
A coloring page to help families connect with themselves and each other.
Re-grieving as Seasons Change
A video that shows how grief can come and go throughout life.
Something New
In this story, Elmo’s cousin Jesse helps remind children that big changes can mean new opportunities to learn and grow.
Jesse Expresses Grief Through Play
A video to show how children can express their feelings of grief through play — and how grown-ups can help.
Express Yourself with Elmo and Jesse
Help a child check in with and express their feelings with these interactive creative activities.
The Complexity of Loss
Consider different types of grief and loss.
How Children Grieve and How to Help
Consider the different ways children experience grief as they grow, and how you might help.
Disenfranchised Grief
Learn about disenfranchised grief.
Elmo and Jesse Remember Uncle Jack
A video to show that there are many ways to remember—and celebrate—a person who died.
New Family Roles
Ideas to help families navigate changes after loss.
The Giggle Game
Play this game to help children (and grown-ups) hone in on the good things in life.
You Are Special To Me
A printable to share encouragement and kindness with others.
Grief and Change Caused by COVID-19
It’s okay to have feelings of grief when we experience changes big and small.
Remembering
For children and adults, it’s important to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have died.
Something Small
Show children that even a small memory can help us remember loved ones.
Coloring to Calm Down
Coloring can help both children and grown-ups feel more calm and grounded.
Showing and Sharing Feelings
Naming a big feeling can help children begin to understand it, and later regulate it.
What Does Grief Look Like?
Doing open-ended art activities together helps adults and children relax and connect.
Helping Children Through Grief Related To COVID-19
There are ways to help families talk about death, express their feelings, and grieve together.
When Kids Need Special-Special Comfort
In the midst of big changes, comfort items can provide a sense of continuity in a child’s life.
Cuando los niños necesitan mayor consuelo
En medio de los grandes cambios, un juguete como un animal de peluche o una mantita pueden darle un sentido de continuidad al niño.
Duelo y cambios causados por COVID-19
Es normal tener sentimientos de dolor cuando experimentamos cambios grandes y pequeños.
Cómo superar el dolor por la muerte causada por el COVID-19
Hay maneras para que las familias hablen de la muerte, expresen sus sentimientos y lloren juntas.
Arte libre
Hacer juntos actividades de arte libre ayuda a padres y niños a relajarse y conectarse.
Demostrar y expresar los sentimientos
Saber nombrar los sentimientos fuertes ayuda al niño a comprenderlos y a manejarlos.
Colorear para estar en calma
Colorear ayuda a niños, padres y cuidadores a sentirse más tranquilos y estables.
El recuerdo
Para los niños y las personas mayores es importante celebrar la vida de nuestros seres queridos que han muerto.
