[AUDIO LOGO] On average, one in every 29 children will experience the death of a parent. That is roughly one child in every classroom. And yet many teachers receive little or no training, on how to support grieving pupils. Grief is different for every child. Some will want to talk, others may act out, some might seem completely unaffected. And all of these are normal responses. Here are some tips to help you support a grieving pupil in your classroom. Tip 1. Talk to the family. Start by connecting with the child's parents or carers. Find out what the child knows, how it's been explained to them and what language has been used. Consistency helps reduce confusion. Work together to decide what the wider school community should know and how the child would like it shared. Tip 2. Acknowledge their grief. When the child returns to school, don't be afraid to acknowledge what's happened. Even a simple, I'm so sorry to hear about, can make a huge difference. Many children find it upsetting, when their loss is ignored as though nothing has happened. Letting them know you're aware and that you care, helps them feel seen and understood, especially at a time when other adults in their life may be too consumed by their own grief to give that support. Tip 3. Use clear, age appropriate and honest language. Avoid euphemisms passed away or gone to sleep. While we say these to be gentle, they can be confusing, especially for younger children. Saying, died might feel uncomfortable, but it's more helpful in the long run. Be honest, calm, and available for questions. It's OK not to have all the answers, what matters most is that you're there. Tip 4. Create a safe space and identify a safe person in school. Grieving children need a space where they feel secure. This might be a quiet room or simply permission to take time out, when things feel overwhelming. Some schools use a timeout card the child can show discreetly, others offer calming activities like colouring or journaling. Ask them who they'd like to be, their go-to person within school, and ask them what helps them most. Being led by them, can be incredibly empowering and makes them feel listened to and understood. Tip 5. Expect and understand behaviour changes. Grief doesn't always look like sadness. Some children may become withdrawn, anxious, angry, even more energetic than usual. Others might struggle with sleep or concentration. Try to be patient and flexible, even if that means adjusting your own expectations for a while. Tip 6. Watch out for Warning signs. Be alert to drastic changes in behaviour, be that acting out, social disconnection, missing lots of school or signs of self-harm. Persistent and concerning changes should be communicated appropriately to the family, in a way that's age appropriate but sensitive. Professional help may be required. Tip 7. Adjust the classroom routine as needed. Returning to school can be grounding, but it can also be overwhelming. Think about practical adjustments like a reduced timetable, relaxed homework expectations, or quiet lunchtime arrangements. Have a plan in place for when things feel hard. Who can they go to? What can they do? Keep communication open and check in with them regularly. Thank you for watching. It'll make a real difference to the pupil in your class, who is grieving, knowing that you care and that you're keeping an eye out for them. For more information on coping with grief and loss, go to the nipinthebud website at nipinthebud.org.