Supporting Children Through Change and Separation
Children often feel change more intensely than adults expect, whether that is starting preschool, moving house, a family separation or a bereavement. This workshop looks at how to support a child through these transitions with age-appropriate honesty, consistent routines and space for their feelings. Every family's situation is different, so the focus is on principles you can adapt rather than a one-size-fits-all script.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
Parents and carers supporting a child, roughly aged two to ten, through a significant change or loss, such as a new setting, a house move, separation or bereavement.
What we cover in the hour
- How children of different ages typically understand and process change.
- Preparing a child for an upcoming change in an age-appropriate way.
- Maintaining routines and consistency during periods of upheaval.
- Supporting a child through family separation with honest, calm communication.
- Talking to young children about bereavement without avoiding the subject.
- Recognising signs that a child needs additional support beyond what routine reassurance offers.
What you'll leave with
- Age-based guidance on explaining change honestly and simply.
- A routine-maintenance checklist for periods of upheaval.
- Sample language for discussing separation with young children.
- A gentle framework for talking about bereavement with a young child.
- A take-home booklet with scripts adapted to different types of change.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes age-appropriate scripts for discussing separation and bereavement, a routine-maintenance checklist, and signs to watch for that suggest a child needs extra support.
This workshop is grounded in the Aistear theme of Wellbeing and Síolta Standard 1 (Rights of the Child), affirming a child's right to feel secure and supported through significant life changes.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- Is this workshop specific to one type of change, like separation or bereavement?
- No, it covers general principles that apply across different types of significant change, with specific guidance for common situations like preschool starts, house moves, family separation and bereavement. If your situation needs closer, individual attention, a private one-to-one session may suit better.
- How much should I tell a young child about a family separation?
- We cover age-appropriate honesty, which means giving children enough information to feel secure without overwhelming them with adult detail. The right amount depends on your child's age and the specifics of your family's situation, which we discuss in general terms during the session.
- How do I talk to my child about a death in the family?
- We cover simple, honest language appropriate for young children, avoiding euphemisms that can cause confusion, along with how to answer follow-up questions calmly over time rather than in one conversation.
- My child seems fine after a big change. Should I still be concerned?
- Not necessarily, children process change differently and some show very little visible reaction initially. We cover signs to watch for over the following weeks and when it might be worth seeking additional support.
- Is this workshop a form of grief counselling?
- No, this is an educational workshop on supporting children through change generally, not a counselling or therapeutic service. If your family is dealing with a significant loss, we can point you toward appropriate bereavement support services alongside this session.
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More in this theme: Emotional regulation · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
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