Online curriculum for children and families impacted by grief
If you have questions or would like guidance around this curriculum, contact us! We are still available by phone and email. Leave us a message and we will get back to you promptly.
(520) 322-9155 | [email protected]
Topic: We Are Always Connected
It feels really hard to not be with the people we care about right now. We can’t go to school and see our friends and classmates. If we go outside to play, we can’t play with other kids. Some of us can’t even see our own family members. When someone special has a serious medical condition, or after someone special has died, being able to be with the people we care about helps us feel better. The Invisible String helps remind us that even when we can’t be with the people we love and care about, we are always connected to them.
Start by following along with Kristin as she reads The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, Illustrated by Geoff Stevenson. Thank you to the Publishers of this book, DeVross & Company and Little, Brown & Company: Books for Young Readers!
Littles and Middles (age 3 ½ – 12):
Activity: Heart of Connections
Supplies Needed:
- Blank piece of paper
- Markers
- Crayons or colored pencils
Steps:
- Start by getting a blank piece of paper and draw a big heart on it. Think of everyone you would like to be with, but can’t: your special person, friends, family members, teachers, classmates, neighbors. . . anyone!
- Draw a picture of each of these people or write their names inside of the heart.
- Then, color each person using their favorite color or a color you think they would love. Watch as all of the colors connect!
- When you are feeling sad and missing these people, look at your heart and remember that even though you can’t be with them, you are always connected to them and they are always connected to you.
Teens (ages 13-18):
When you think of the people in your life who you care about like your special person, friends, and family, your first thoughts might be about how wonderful, dependable, and loving they are. When you think of a spider web your first thoughts might be how creepy or gross it is. If thoughts of people you care about and spider webs seem so different, why would we ever compare them? Surprisingly, they have some similarities.
- Spider webs are incredibly strong. When we are separated from people we care about, we can find comfort in the strong bonds we have with them.
- Spider webs are surprisingly beautiful. The relationships you have with those in your life who you love are beautiful too.
- Spider webs are unique. The connections you have with caring, loving people are one of a kind and incredibly special.
During this time when we are all social distancing, we might be worried about losing connections with important people in our lives. If we think of how our connections to these people are strong, beautiful, and unique we can remind ourselves that they will last. If you feel inspired to create a visual reminder of this, try the following activity!
Activity: Spider Web Connections
Supplies Needed:
- Printed Spider Web Image
- Something to write with
Steps:
- Print our spider web image (or draw your own!)
- Write the names of your special person, friends, family members, classmates, etc. throughout the web (example above).
- Place your web somewhere that you will always see it. Glance at it when you are missing these people to remind yourself that your connections will last because they are strong, beautiful and unique.
Adults and Caregivers:
A diagnosis of a serious medical condition or a loved one’s death greatly impacts relationships. Some connections may become stronger while others slowly fade away or abruptly come to an end. During this time when we are all social distancing, we might be worried about losing connections with additional people in our lives. This is a natural concern that many people are experiencing. This article from our friends at What’s Your Grief? normalizes this concern from the lens of a griever, while encouraging acts that may lead to reconnection with people who we miss and need. While this article was written in November 2017, well before the pandemic, we hope you still find it comforting and validating.
We’d love to see your artwork!
Share your creation with us by sending a picture of your artwork to [email protected] or posting it with the hashtag #TuNiditoArt. And remember, we are available for support at (520) 322-9155.
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