Preschool Educators Learn About Loss: A Pilot Study of a Health Education Program

Abstract

Loss is a universal human experience that can lead to grief. During times of grief and loss, younger children are particularly dependent on adults for support. However, educators report limited training and confidence in addressing grief. Twenty-six preschool educators from a large urban district in the northeastern United States participated in the 4-week Helping Children with Loss program. Researchers assessed post-participation changes in preschool educators’ self-reports of grief-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and confidence. Quantitative results showed significant gains across all measured domains. Qualitative data revealed participants’ unique motivations, key takeaways, and suggestions for program improvement. Findings underscore the importance of adopting a life course perspective to foster resilience during the early years by helping educators enhance their grief-related skills to support children in schools.