Holiday Table
Suggested Groups: Preschool/Young/Middle
Purpose: To allow the children to reflect on memories of past holidays and the changes that have occurred since the death
Task/need: Converting the relationship to one of memory; living on the grief spiral, developing a new self-identity
Activity Setup Ideas:
- Acknowledge the holiday(s) that is (are) approaching and talk about traditions.
- Ask the children about their holiday celebrations. Are there any traditions that their families recognize? Is there any special food for the event or people with whom they share their holidays?
- Acknowledge that the holidays have likely changed since their family member died and talk about the new holiday celebration that they as a group will put together.
Materials:
- Wooden blocks
- Paper plates
- Butcher paper
- Crayons/markers
Description: Using the skills and interests of the children, divide the group into subgroups of builders, artists, cooks, etc. Have one group build a table out of blocks. Have another group cut out pictures of food or draw food on paper plates. Another group of children creates a memory tablecloth. The children will need to talk to each other to get favorite foods and memories of the children and the people in their families who died. By the end of the evening group meeting, the entire group will be sitting around the table, dressed with tablecloth and plates of cut-out/drawn food, talking about memories of the holidays when their family member was alive and sharing one thing for which they are currently thankful.
Activity Wrap Up Ideas:
- Thank the children for their contributions to the holiday table and ask them about their favorite parts of the event.
Note: When discussing holidays that may have a certain cultural or religious significance, it is important to talk to the group before to know who does and does not celebrate the upcoming holidays. If not everybody celebrates the holiday, it will be important to be aware and incorporate many different perspectives into the building. If this cannot be accomplished, it will be necessary to pass on this activity.
