The death of Queen Elizabeth last week was for many Britons the first time they had to explain the concept of death to children — a situation reinforced by the declaration of a national holiday next Monday (19), the day of the sovereign’s funeral, which suspends school classes.
Charities and child bereavement support groups have offered advice to parents and teachers on how to have this conversation, answer potential questions, and even decide whether to attend the funeral next week.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrated three months ago, made the sovereign even more familiar among British children. They celebrated the 70th anniversary of their reign with parties and plays, and some dressed up to represent each of Elizabeth’s decades on the throne. All students from 1st to 9th grade in the country also received a special book in honor of the occasion.
The queen also appeared as a character in several programs and children’s fiction books, from “The Good Giant Friend”, by Roald Dahl —author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, among other classics for the age-, to “Peppa Pig” .
“The death of a prominent figure can significantly affect children, just as it affects adults. It could be that this is their first experience with death, and that they still don’t really understand it. Or maybe they’ve already gone through some process. grieving before, and that can bring those difficult feelings back up again,” says the Winston’s Wish Foundation, which helps children cope with the death of loved ones.
The institution advises that adults use clear and accessible language to explain to children the meaning of death, providing maximum security for them. And he says that the queen’s funeral can indeed be a good gateway to the subject in families and schools.
If this is the case, the organization advises preparing children in advance for what they are going to watch, and being aware of reactions to their needs.
Another foundation, Save the Children, suggests on its blog creating activities to help children process what they are feeling. “It could be drawing a portrait of the queen, or writing a story about her life, or imagining the adventures she must have had.”
Children’s messages and drawings stand out among the hundreds of bouquets left at the gates of royal palaces across the UK, and children have been lining up to see the queen’s coffin up close.
“Dear Queen Elizabeth, you were such a faithful queen to all of us. Say hi to my nanny in heaven. It would mean so much to me,” wrote a nine-year-old girl in a drawing of the queen with a corgi. “Thank you for being such a lovely queen. I wish you were still with us,” wrote a boy named George in a letter with a heart.
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