New
New
Year 4

Coping with grief

I can explain the impact of death and how to cope with grief.

New
New
Year 4

Coping with grief

I can explain the impact of death and how to cope with grief.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Death is a natural part of life.
  2. Everyone experiences grief or loss at some point.
  3. Grief affects people differently.
  4. Bereavement is a very hard thing to experience.
  5. People need support to deal with the death of someone they love.

Keywords

  • Die - in this context, when a body stops working and a person stops living

  • Bereavement - the death of someone we love

  • Grief - strong emotional feelings caused by experiencing the death of someone we love

Common misconception

Children are not affected by death.

Although this is a sensitive topic, children are often affected by bereavement and are better able to cope with grief if they understand some of the basic processes and support systems in this aspect.


To help you plan your year 4 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Coping with grief, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Death and dying are highly sensitive topics. Make yourself aware of any personal connection pupils may have with bereavement. Give pupils a warning before the lessons takes place of what you are discussing and signpost them to support within school before, during and after the lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the definition.

Correct Answer:challenge,a problem that is difficult to solve or overcome

a problem that is difficult to solve or overcome

Correct Answer:struggling,finding it hard to overcome a problem or situation

finding it hard to overcome a problem or situation

Correct Answer:break-up,when two people end or change their relationship

when two people end or change their relationship

Q2.
Everyone responds to change and challenges .

Correct Answer: differently

Q3.
Why might two parents or carers decide to break-up?

because of the children
Correct answer: because they can't fix a problem together
because they're hungry
Correct answer: they might have different ideas or feelings

Q4.
How might someone feel if their parents or carers broke-up?

Correct answer: angry
thirsty
excited
Correct answer: rejected
Correct answer: upset

Q5.
Which of the following statements are true?

Correct answer: daily routines might change after two parents or carers break-up
parents or carers always get married to someone new after a break-up
everything stays the same after a break-up
Correct answer: a parent or carer might move to a new place after a break-up

Q6.
Who could we get support from if we are struggling?

Correct answer: trusted adults
our pets
younger siblings
online strangers

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the definition.

Correct Answer:die,in this context, when a body stops working and a person stops living

in this context, when a body stops working and a person stops living

Correct Answer:bereavement,the death of someone we love

the death of someone we love

Correct Answer:grief,strong emotional feelings caused by experiencing the death of someone

strong emotional feelings caused by experiencing the death of someone

Q2.
What happens when someone dies?

Correct answer: they stop living and we don't get to see them again
they continue to live
they go away for a bit, and then come back

Q3.
Which of the following statements are true?

children should not talk about death
Correct answer: talking about death helps children manage their emotions
only adults will experience a bereavement
Correct answer: everyone will experience a bereavement at some point in their lives

Q4.
People experience grief .

Correct Answer: differently

Q5.
Order the stages of emotions we might experience during grief.

1 - shock, confusion or denial
2 - anger
3 - sadness
4 - acceptance
5 - healing

Q6.
Who can we get support from when we are struggling?

Correct answer: parents and carers
Correct answer: school staff
younger siblings
Correct answer: counsellors
online strangers