Separation and Loss: A Handbook for Early Childhood Professionals

GENERATIONS
TOGETHER'S

SEPARATION

AND

LOSS:

A HANDBOOK FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS

In these times of social stress and dislocation, the issue of "separation and loss" has emerged as a primary concern for early childhood professionals. During 1989-1992, Pennsylvania early childhood and aging-service professionals helped Generations Together conceptualize a resource piece that would be of real, practical value to teachers helping children and their families cope with separation and loss.

Based on what experts understand about loss in the lives of children, Separation and Loss: A Handbook for Early Childhood Professionals serves as a reactive document, combining theoretical information with specific concrete suggestions for supporting children during a loss crisis. Older adults are recognized as an important natural resource to children, parents, and teachers, and their unique contributions are described and encouraged throughout the handbook.

The handbook also contains a framework for a parent awareness workshop on this topic, and a staff development in-service training module for the use of early childhood administrators. An accompanying videotape, Learning To Say Goodbye, helps workshop participants visualize the concepts and activities contained in the handbook. Please call the number below if you wish to preview the videotape.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare provided the funding for the entire project.

Separation and Loss: A Handbook for Early Childhood Professionals costs $30.00 (including shipping and handling). Learning To Say Goodbye costs $70.00. Both are available as a set for $90.00 (see the Generations Together Publications Catalog). Copies may be obtained from:

Generations Together--Publications
University of Pittsburgh
121 University Place, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15260-5907
phone: 412-648-7155

newmans@pitt.edu