What Grief Actually Looks Like for Children

What does grief actually look like for a child? And how is it different from adult grief? In this episode of Dying to Know More, host Ashley Haugen sits down with Jessica Correnti, a certified child life specialist and the founder of Kids Grief Support, to explore how children experience loss and what adults often misunderstand about their grieving process. After nearly two decades working in pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms, and with bereaved families, Jessica shares how play, language, and emotional safety help children process some of life’s hardest moments. Her work became deeply personal after the stillbirth of her own daughter, an experience that reshaped her mission to support grieving children and families. Topics discussed include: --Why children grieve differently than adults --The surprising way kids move in and out of grief (“puddle jumping”) --Signs a child may be struggling after a loss --What NOT to say to a grieving child (and what helps instead) --How unprocessed grief can show up later in life --Supporting bereaved siblings and families --How parents, caregivers, and friends can show up without saying the “perfect” thing This conversation is compassionate, practical, and deeply human, offering insight for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone navigating grief themselves. SHOW NOTES: Kids Grief Support: https://www.kidsgriefsupport.com/ KGS on Instagram:   / kidsgriefsupport   Jessica's books: https://www.kidsgriefsupport.com/chil... #griefjourney #griefsupport #kidsgrief #familyloss #dyingtoknowmorepodcast