Talking to Children about Serious Illness Death & Dying
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify principles for engaging in open, developmentally appropriate conversations with children about serious illness, death, and dying.
- Discuss the emotional needs of children living with life-limiting illness, including how they understand and cope with serious health information.
- Apply communication strategies and tools that support meaningful, compassionate dialogue with children and families facing serious illness or dying.
Didactic Speaker
Alexandria Friesen, BA, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Resources Mentioned in Session
- Grief and Bereavement Resources – SickKids.ca
- Youth Grief
- Rainbows – Guiding Kids Through Life’s Storms
- Upopolis – Kids’ Health Links Foundation
- The Dougy Center – Grief Resources
- Gilda’s Club
- Bereaved Families of Ontario
- Lighthouse for Grieving Children & Families
- Camp Erin Toronto
- Nightingale Centre
- Kemp Care Network
- Canadian Alliance for Children’s Grief
