Simple Talks...Big Impact Navigating Grief and Kids

This is the conversation you didn’t know you needed about how children navigate grief and how we can better show up for them. In this episode, Jaina DeCristofaro, a grief support expert at the Dougy Center, shares what she’s learned from over two decades of helping children and teens process loss.

We talk about how to speak to kids about death with honesty and care, why clear and age-appropriate language matters, and how to answer their questions in ways that reduce fear instead of adding to it. We explore what children really need when they’re grieving, from having their feelings validated to being given space to express themselves beyond words.

Jaina also offers guidance on navigating difficult conversations, supporting kids through traumatic loss, and showing up during milestones, holidays, and anniversaries. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or someone who loves a child, this episode will help you feel more confident in supporting children through grief so they feel safe, heard, and not alone.

Host: Adell Coleman Producer: Lairen Knott Editor: Krystal Hill Video Editor: Mike D. DuBose Links referenced in this episode: Check out the Dougy Center Listen to Jana's podcast Grief Out Loud Support for grieving children: Camp Erin National Alliance of Children's Grief Follow on Social Media: @TheDougyCenter Adell's info Social media : IG iamadellcoleman Join the Collective Echoes Of Her Collective Website Read the Blog: On My Momma Distribution TCF Global