The Grief of a Child: Counseling the Dynamic Heart of an Elementary-Aged Child Grieving Death

Abstract

This thesis examines how caregivers can best counsel an elementary-aged child grieving death that considers the nature of a child’s developing heart. Chapter two argues that effective communication to grieving children begins with a clear theology of death and grief and that caregivers have no foundation of care to build on without thorough biblical definitions and descriptions of death and grief. Chapter three argues that effective communication must extend beyond a theology of death and grief, however, to include an understanding of the nature of a child’s dynamic heart. Once the interplay of a child’s thoughts, feelings, and choices within the context of their experience of grief is established, chapter four examines how the development of a child’s heart affects helpful counsel to those children. Finally, chapter five proposes some foundational methodologies before considering potential resources and general principles to help caregivers in their difficult role of providing help to a grieving child.