Action Plan Professional Scenario: Imagine you are working in an early childhood setting that cares for and
teaches children ages 0–5. Two families in your program share a grandmother who has been an active and
loving caregiver for their children—an infant, a toddler, and a preschooler. The grandmother has recently
passed away and you want to support these families by helping them understand how infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers grieve in order to help the children with this loss.
Before you create your Action Plan, consider:
What does an early childhood professional need to know in order to understand the situation and needs of
these children and families?
What ideas and advice from experts may be useful in assisting children and families?
What can early childhood professionals do to help, either directly, by suggesting activities and advice, or by
referring the family to other community resources and professionals?
Include the following in your plan:
Part I: Supporting an Infant
Explain in your own words:
Developmental information about what an infant may feel or understand about a family death.
Possible ways that an infant may respond to a family death
Specific advice from experts on how to help an infant through a family loss.
Part II: Supporting a Toddler
Explain in your own words:
Developmental information about what a toddler may feel, believe, or understand about a family death.
Possible ways that a toddler may respond to a family death.
Specific advice from experts on how to help a toddler through a family loss.
Part III: Supporting a Preschooler
Explain in your own words:
Developmental information about what a preschooler may feel, believe, or understand about a family death.
Possible ways that a preschooler may respond to a family death.
Three specific ideas or activities the family can do at home to help a preschooler through a family loss.
Sample Solution