Loss and letting go
Loss is a natural part of all our lives. Yet children can experience loss on many different levels that we, as adults, might not fully appreciate. For example, as well as the more tangible losses we think of, like the loss of a friend or family member, they might find it difficult to cope with the loss of a special toy.
How play can help
A great play technique for helping a child come to terms with loss is to give them the time and space to remember and celebrate what was special about the thing or person they have lost and to help them normalise those feelings. You could create a memory box, filled with items and photos that evoke memories of the person or item. Managing loss in a play setting can remove the worries a child might have about expressing some difficult feelings.
