When a student experiences the death of a loved one, the effects can ripple throughout the classroom and the wider school community. To help educators navigate this sensitive terrain, Kenzie’s Gift has created a comprehensive resource—“How to Support Grieving Tamariki (Children) and Mātātahi (Young People) in Kuranga (Education): A Teacher’s Toolkit.” With practical advice, real-world examples, and age-appropriate strategies, this guide empowers teachers, counsellors, and administrators to provide compassionate, informed support.

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Why This Resource Matters

Addressing a Common Gap

‍Teachers play a pivotal role in a child’s life, yet many receive minimal training on grief and bereavement. By offering clear, actionable tools, the Kenzie’s Gift toolkit fills an essential gap in professional development, preparing educators for conversations and situations they might otherwise feel ill-equipped to handle.

Helping Students Process Loss

‍Children respond differently to bereavement depending on their age, personality, and cultural background. Some students become withdrawn, while others may act out or struggle to focus. This resource offers nuanced insights on recognising these behaviours, normalising emotional responses, and meeting students where they are in their grief journeys.

Creating a Supportive Classroom

‍A single student’s grief can affect the entire class. The toolkit shows how group activities, rituals, or one-on-one check-ins can foster a sense of community, offering bereaved students the understanding and stability they need. These strategies also cultivate empathy among classmates, who learn how to listen and respond with kindness.

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Key Topics Covered

Age-Specific Guidance

‍The toolkit breaks down how children of different ages perceive and process death. Educators learn why a six-year-old may repeat questions about someone “coming back” and why a teenager might withdraw entirely. Understanding these developmental nuances helps you tailor your approach to each student’s emotional and cognitive level.

Talking About Death & Dying in the Classroom

‍Addressing the subject of death can feel daunting. Kenzie’s Gift provides clear language suggestions for explaining a death to the whole school, smaller groups, or individual students. You’ll find tips on balancing honesty with compassion, preventing harmful rumours, and validating the range of emotions students may experience.

Practical Activities & Memory Work

‍Some children struggle to articulate their feelings verbally. Activities like creating memory boxes, journalling, or designing a class tribute can help grieving students process their loss in tangible ways. The toolkit offers step-by-step guides for these exercises, encouraging healthy expression and collective remembrance.

Supporting a Student’s Return to School

‍Returning to the classroom after a bereavement can be unsettling. Teachers learn how to welcome the student back with sensitivity—adjusting workloads, scheduling “time-out” cards for emotional breaks, or coordinating with peers to create a safe, inclusive environment.

Self-Care for Educators

‍Supporting grieving students can be emotionally taxing. The guide emphasises the importance of educator wellbeing, encouraging teachers to acknowledge and process their own feelings or past losses. Tips include seeking peer support, consulting with school counsellors, and taking moments to decompress during the school day.

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Benefits for Your School Community

Enhanced Emotional Safety

A shared language and set of practices helps children, staff, and families navigate the aftermath of death more peacefully.

Increased Empathy & Connection

‍Class activities around bereavement can foster deeper bonds among students, instilling compassion and understanding.

Reduced Classroom Disruption

By promptly addressing a grieving student’s needs, teachers can minimise outbursts, anxieties, or academic setbacks.

Greater Cultural Sensitivity

Drawing on te whare tapa whā principles—taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing), taha whānau (family wellbeing), taha tinana (physical wellbeing), and taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)—the toolkit honours diverse experiences of grief, ensuring no student feels overlooked.

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Download or Order “How to Support Grieving Tamariki in Schools”

If you’re committed to creating a nurturing, compassionate environment for students coping with loss, download or order “How to Support Grieving Children (Tamariki) and Young Adults (Mātātahi) in Education (Kuranga): A Teacher’s Toolkit” from Kenzie’s Gift now. Arm yourself and your colleagues with the knowledge, empathy, and practical methods to guide students through one of life’s toughest challenges.

How to Get Your Copy

1. Choose between an instant digital copy or a physical handbook, based on your team’s needs.
   
2. Contact us at hello@kenziesgift.com if you’d like additional training, counselling referrals, or more in-depth conversation about best practices.
   

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Looking After Everyone Involved

Navigating grief at school is never easy, but with the right tools and support, you can make a meaningful difference. Kenzie’s Gift stands by educators, offering free and low-cost therapy services, grief resources, and real-world strategies for building a resilient, emotionally safe school environment.

Equip your staff with the insights they need to confidently address bereavement. Download or order the Teacher’s Toolkit today and help transform your school into a space where grieving children (tamariki) feel understood and cared for.