Grief is Like a Snowflake

No one ever knows when tragedy may strike.  Statistics show that most children will face a significant loss in their childhood.  Though not a pleasant subject, being prepared to answer children’s questions about death and help children through their grief is beneficial.  Parents and caregivers will be instructed by a representative from Ted E. Bear Hollow, Omaha’s center for children, teens, and their families grieving the death of a family member or friend.  Miss Tammy will share a gentle story about loss, followed by light-hearted snowflake fun for children of all ages!  This program will last about 45 minutes.

Books

Grief is Like a Snowflake by Julia Cook; illustrated by Anita DuFalla

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia MacLachlan and Steven Kellogg

Songs/Rhymes/Fingerplays

Snowflakes, Snowflakes (from Holiday Zone)
Tune: "Are You Sleeping?"

Snowflakes, snowflakes,
Snowflakes, snowflakes,
All around,
All around--
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling snowflakes,
Hit the ground,
Hit the ground. 

Snowflakes, Snowflakes

Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Snowflakes, snowflakes, dance around,
Snowflakes, snowflakes, touch the ground
Snowflakes, snowflakes, in the air
Snowflakes, snowflakes, everywhere
Snowflakes, snowflakes, dance around
Snowflakes, snowflakes, touch the ground

Activity:  Snowflakes using coffee filters and Epsom Salt for "sparkles".

We had three adults attend the workshop and I had four children (ages 6-11) for stories.  All of them are dealing with a recent loss in their lives.  Although numbers are important to look at when measuring the success of a program, sometimes a number alone does not tell the whole story.  Even though the turnout for this program was relatively small in number those that attended left with important information about helping their child(ren) through loss.  It will be impossible to quantify the number of others who may be served later because they heard about the program but didn’t attend, who later need that information and remember that the library had offered a program, or those who share with someone later that they heard about our program.