Kid Talk a Faith-Based Curriculum for Grieving Children: Includes Our Story A Memory Book (Kid Talk Grief)

We often forget or just don't know how to help our children during a time of grief. This book guides us through that time.

Kid Talk – A Faith Based Curriculum for Grieving Children is a thoughtful, well structured 13 week program developed for use by those humbly entrusted with walking our youth and children through the tender, confusing and often wrenching work of grief. From orientation onward through a series of 2-hour sessions, facilitators will find everything they need to plan and prepare for an upcoming weeks’ workshop, from gentle welcomes to focused discussions, hands-on exercises to memory making activities and oh so very much more. With loss adults are often profoundly shaken therein imagine the difficulty facing children trying to grapple with grief without fully understanding not only the concept of death, but a new gamut of baffling emotions that may swirl within them, let alone that which may be manifest by those who closely surround them even now. The ability to provide children and youth whose world may have been notably rocked a safe environment in which to emote and give voice to a wellspring of complex feelings regardless of expression is critical for cultivating greater understanding of, and ultimately space for peace as it relates to the ‘goneness’ of their loved one(s), a process ultimately necessary for healing.Organized as an orientation followed by a series of sessions targeted to reach children 6 – 12 years of age (although arguably anyone regardless of age can benefit), the book, easily separated by get-together, includes “Our Story Memory Book”, a one page lesson plan for each session, a leaders guide including details on related activities, a supply list, copy ready support materials, a recommended snack list and a plethora of resources, to include templates and hand-outs along with additional reference links. From broken hearts to banana palms, love bubbles to watermelon hugs this timeless curriculum will prove a valuable and timeless resource for every church or home.Alicia T.Chaplain & Lay Counselor

As a Police and Fire Chaplain I deal with death on a constant. In America we do not deal well with death as a society and really don't know how to do it well. Helping adults deal and walk through the pain of death can be a tricky thing. However walking a child through death can be scary for both parent and child. This is a fantastic curriculum for those who are faced with the challenge of having to face death head on and how to help a child with that process.

Mel Erickson writes with both knowledge and compassion in the book Kid Talk. In 1979 I lost my first born child to Cystic Fibrosis. I had no idea what to do for myself let alone my daughter and my other son. We were all left to wade through the horrors of this horrible loss with no direction. If there had been a book such as "Kid Talk" to turn to it would have helped me navigate, with my children, through our loss. I would have been beyond grateful to have this beautiful book. Anyone suffering through the loss of a loved one will benefit not only from this book but the companion book "Our Story a Memory Book". I believe this book will help us when talking to my Great Grandsons about the loss of their beloved Papa. Kid Talk will help your whole family. Barbara

The curriculum for Kid Talk is so complete and detailed that even a first-time facilitator will have confidence they can provide the children in their Kid Talk group a warm, safe and supportive place to process the difficult challenges of grief work. It is rich with ideas for each session with activities and even snacks related to the topic of that day’s lesson. The addition of the book Our Story is a wonderful keepsake for each child who will be able to remember their time in Kid Talk. It includes the activities that were done in the group sessions as a reminder for the child and opportunity for the parent or caregiver to share its meaning together.

I repeatedly saw the effectiveness of these activities in school and family group settings when I worked alongside Mel years ago. I’m excited that she now has incorporated in her lessons the healing power of faith. The comforting presence of God, who desires to walk with us on our grief journey, has made all the difference for me and countless others. I recommend this resource for anyone who wants to help children find healthy ways to work through and to grow through their grief.

This Christian curriculum is very well written. Easy to understand. Easy to follow. It does not tax the grief brain of a parent who wants to help a child cope with and understand their own grief. Adults and children both learn and grow while working through this program together. It is easily used in a family setting or in group settings. I recommend this book to anyone who knows a child who is dealing with the loss of a close family member or friend.Christine Eide – GriefShare Facilitator, Chaplain

Once again, Mel Erickson has written a book that is both simple to follow and practical in application. This is a must have for those who work with those who are truly "forgotten grievers:" kids.