Noting that the death of a loved one brings grief to children as well as adults, this Digest draws on research to examine how children respond to death and the role of parents and teachers in helping children cope with loss. The Digest delineates children's "tasks" during mourning that are essential to their adjustment to loss, such as accepting the reality of the loss, and adjusting to the environment in which the deceased is missing. Next, the Digest explores how children understand the concept of death, and how they are likely to react to the death of a loved one. Ways that parents can help children cope are then explored, such as explaining death in simple terms while avoiding euphemisms and trying to suppress expressions of grief. These are followed by ways teachers can help, such as being sensitive to how family or holiday activities in the classroom may affect a grieving child. Finally, signs that a grieving child may need extra help are delineated. The Digest concludes with a list of eight children's book titles on death and grief. (Contains 18 references.) (HTH)