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Faith Formation: Talking about Grief & Trauma with Children & Families

Resources including: Children & Family Curricula & Storytime; Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism; Denominational Resources; Tween & Teen Mental and Spiritual Health; Sexuality & Identity; and Online/At-Home Tech

Welcome

Welcome to The Ministry Lab's curated list of resources to help caregivers and parents engage children in conversations around grief and trauma. Here you'll find:

  • Books & Downloads
  • Blogs, Podcasts & Articles
  • Websites & Curricula
  • Judicatory and Other Denominational Resources

See also our Contemplative & Mental Health Practices for Children & Youth and/or Hope & Resilience guides for developing self-awareness and tools for navigating distress, anxiety, and trauma.

If you don't find a resource to fit your need, don't hesitate to consult with The Ministry Lab's director, Rev. Emily Meyer, who is happy to assist you.

Books & Downloads - for Children

Minnesota Reformer shared Minnesota Mental Health Professionals Say Climate Concerns Driving Patients to Depression by Christopher Ingraham, January 04, 2024.

Can your congregation become a place for young people to process complex emotions and develop resilience and hope by participating - with adults who are passionate about climate care - in taking action to mitigate damage and restore health to all?

Graphic summary for picture books about death.jpg     illness books.jpg

Abuelo's Flower Shop     All About Grief     Bear Island     Big Bear Was Not the Same                    Brave Like Mom     Picture of A Flood of Kindness     God's Protection Covers Me          Remember Me When...: Creating Memories to Last a Lifetime     Cover of Something Happened in Our Park     Still This Love Goes On     A Time to Say Goodbye: A Booklet for Kids about Funerals     Violet the Snowgirl: A Story of Loss and Healing     What to Do When the News Scares You     When Things Are Hard, Remember     Look Inside Where Is Home, Daddy Bear?     Paperback The Wing Book

Books for Caregivers

     When Kids Ask Hard Questions, Volume 2: More Faith-Filled Responses for Tough Topics

Author Traci Smith offers two free practices to share with children and families in response to Traumatic Current Events

Tools for Parents & Caregivers

Trauma Stewardship Tiny Survival Guide | Trauma-Informed Utah |  PACEsConnection      

Trauma Stewardship Institute offers several free, downloadable tools, including Decision Fatigue & Cognitive Overload, a Gratitude Log, a Map for Managing One's Day, their Tiny Survival Guide, When Experiencing Overwhelm & Trauma, and a book and gift package selection for people walking through trauma.

Pastor Lisa at Bedtime Theology wonders why in the United States our preference for talking about death is that we Don't Mention It.

shares Helping Children Cope after a Traumatic Event: A Recovery Guide for Parents, Teachers and Community Leaders - comprehensive guidance for helping children of any age; signs of trauma; and age-by-age how-tos.

Sometimes knowing concrete facts can help you and your children calm down. PBS’s Almanac Public Affairs and COVID-19 Special is available in diverse languages, including Spanish, Hmong and Somali.

offers “stories and advice on raising kind, caring and resilient children”, which includes tips on “how to talk honestly with children about racism”, book recommendations about race and diversity and questions to discover your child’s thoughts, and how to talk to your kids about coronavirus and How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus. Many resources are broken into specific age brackets and include links to PBS videos that support the conversation.

provides links to resources and intervention sites, along with tips for working with children, teens and families, an entire page of Resources in the Wake of Community Trauma and Beyond, and includes Trauma Resources for Children and Families; contact info for their Mobile Crisis Mental Health Services may be helpful for some families to have on hand.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers webinars and articles that connect with current events, including numerous tips and data for parents and caregivers.

Judicatory & Other Denominational Resources

Including Children with DisabilitiesThe UMC's Including Children with Disabilities in the Life of the Church is a wealth of resources, ideas, and practical applications.

In this resource, you will find information about:

  • Who Is Coming? Identifying Populations

  • Identifying the Needs of Exceptional Children

  • Identifying the Needs of Parents and Families

  • The Basics of Classroom Set-Up

  • The Basics of Classroom Management

  • The Basics of Adapting Curriculum and Activities

  • The Non-Negotiables for Including Those with Disabilities and Their Families

United Church of Christ Minnesota ConferenceThe MN Conference UCC Faith Formation Resources page includes resources for Talking with Children about Violence and Anti-Racism:

 

Anti-Racism

UMC Ministry with Children (fb) includes tips on empowering and listening to children the midst of pandemic and a list of resources for further mental and spiritual health and formation.

The PACER Center (pacer.org, 952-838-9000) is Minnesota’s primary parent resource for navigating the IEP and 504 process. They provide resources and staff to advise parents and professionals regarding their needs. Rev. Stephanie Friant, a member of the Disability Concerns Ministry and volunteer PACER Parent Leader, is trained and available to review IEPs with parents/guardians, assist with IEP meetings, and answer questions from church staff or contacts (815-592-3207, stephanieHfriant@gmail.com).

In Our Library

     When Kids Ask Hard Questions: Faith-filled Responses for Tough Topics