Children experiencing grief can build coping skills with library storytime

Children experiencing grief can build coping skills with library storytime 
The Mountaineer, Waynesville, NC; by Jennifer Stuart; 7/13/24 
Seasons of Grief Storytime will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at the Canton Branch of the Haywood County Public Library. This is a story time that aims to reach out to children experiencing grief, being held in partnership with Haywood Hospice and Palliative Care. The group will read a story and create a personalized keepsake. It is a program ideal for ages 5-10. The program is free, but registration is required.
Editor's Note: This simple, meaningful support for children can be replicated easily with other local libraries, schools, community/faith groups. Another adaption with pet therapy dogs is for the child to read the story to the dog. This technique empowers the child to be the "teller"--the keeper--of the story, with the adult(s) present to support, validate, ask questions, and encourage the child in his/her own timing and ownership of one's own story. (Come on readers! Click on this article's title to get it into our "Top Reads" for the week!)