Children experience grief in ways that often go unnoticed. While many of us associate grief with the loss of a loved one, children can grieve for a range of reasons—moving to a new school, losing old friends, or the upheaval of a familiar routine.
This type of grief is no less significant and can deeply affect a child’s emotional well-being. One powerful and therapeutic way to support children through these emotional transitions is through play therapy.
Understanding Grief in Children
Grief, for a child, can take many forms. While losing a grandparent, parent, or pet is often what we think of, grief can also stem from:
Moving to a new place – Leaving a familiar home, school, or neighborhood can feel like losing part of their identity.
Changes in family dynamics – A new sibling, divorce, or separation can create a sense of loss for the child’s old family structure.
Friendship loss – When friendships change or end, it can leave a child feeling isolated or abandoned.
Unmet expectations – A child may grieve experiences they anticipated, such as the loss of a planned vacation, or a disrupted school year.
Each of these experiences leaves children navigating emotions that they may not have the words to explain. They feel the weight of loss but often don’t have the tools to express or process it. This is where play therapy comes in.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a form of therapy that uses play as a medium to help children explore their feelings, express themselves, and process difficult emotions. Play is a child’s natural language, and through it, they can symbolically act out scenarios, fears, and feelings that they may not yet be able to verbalize.
In play therapy, a trained therapist provides a safe, supportive environment where children are encouraged to engage in creative activities such as role-playing, drawing, or working with toys. This therapeutic setting helps children:
Process emotions in a way that feels natural to them.
Develop coping strategies for handling grief and loss.
Gain a sense of control in a world that may feel unpredictable or overwhelming.
How Play Therapy Supports Grief
Expression Without Words Children often don’t have the vocabulary to explain complex emotions like grief. Play therapy gives them the freedom to express feelings symbolically, whether through storytelling with dolls or creating art. They might show their feelings of anger, confusion, or sadness in ways that are less direct but just as meaningful. By allowing these emotions to surface, play therapy helps the child start the healing process.
Rebuilding a Sense of Security When children experience grief—whether it’s the loss of a loved one or the loss of a familiar routine—they may feel their world has turned upside down. Play therapy offers a structured and predictable environment that helps restore a sense of safety and stability. The child can explore their feelings at their own pace, and the therapist gently guides them toward coping strategies that foster resilience.
Working Through Transitions Grieving a transition, like moving to a new school or adapting to family changes, can feel confusing for children. In play therapy, they can play out these scenarios and gain a deeper understanding of the changes they’re facing. For example, a child who misses their old friends might act out scenes where toys or figurines say goodbye and make new friends, helping them process the change emotionally.
Encouraging Problem-Solving and Empowerment Through guided play, children are able to find solutions to their problems, which fosters a sense of control over their situation. For a child who feels powerless in the face of grief, this empowerment is critical. Play therapy not only allows them to express their emotions but also encourages them to find ways to cope, adapt, and move forward.
Facilitating Connection and Communication Play therapy also opens up communication between the child and their therapist, or even between the child and their parents. As the child shares their inner world through play, it provides insight into their thoughts and feelings, enabling caregivers to better understand how to support them.
Grief is More Than Loss—It’s Change
It’s important to recognize that grief in children is not limited to the loss of a loved one. Any major life change can trigger grief, and the process of mourning that change can be just as significant. By acknowledging these feelings, we create space for healing.
Play therapy offers a compassionate, effective approach to helping children navigate these emotional waters. It speaks the language of children, empowering them to confront and process their feelings in ways that feel safe and natural. Whether grieving a loved one or the familiar rhythms of their past, children can find their way forward—one playful moment at a time.
Do you think your Teen or Child could benefit from therapy? Speak to a qualified Play therapist to learn how your Teen or Child could benefit from play therapy, Click here to get in touch today, or if you want to know if Play Therapy could be suitable for your Teen or Child, click here to take our quiz!
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