Rainbows Ireland is delighted to share a new training initiative focused on supporting children aged 0-6 years who are experiencing grief, loss, separation and significant change.
This development has been made possible through funding received from the Katherine Howard Foundation Children’s Promises Grant and responds to an important gap that we have identified in our current service provision.
Many early years professionals will be familiar with Rainbows Peer Support Programmes, which are delivered nationally through our network of Registered Rainbows Centres, schools, Family Resource Centres and NGOs. These programmes support children and young people aged 7-17 years who have experienced parental separation, bereavement or other significant family loss.
However, research consistently tells us that for very young children, the most effective support is provided through the trusted adults in their lives, namely parents, caregivers and the professionals who work closely with them every day. Over the past year, an increasing number of early years services have contacted Rainbows Ireland seeking guidance and training to help them better understand and support young children experiencing grief and loss.
In response, we have developed a new workshop:
Grief and Loss in Early Childhood (0-6 Years)
This practical and engaging workshop has been designed specifically for those working in early learning and care settings, preschools, childcare services, family support services and other early years environments.
The training can be delivered:
- In person
- Online
- As an open workshop for individual participants
- As a bespoke programme for organisations or local networks
The workshop is available at a low cost of €30 per participant, with tailored group rates available for organisations wishing to host training locally.
We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this training opportunity through your newsletters, networks and communication channels. We would also welcome the opportunity to explore partnering with you over the next three years to make this training available to early years professionals in locations and formats that best meet local needs.
Importantly, this workshop aligns closely with the principles and goals of Ireland’s early years sector, supporting practitioners to strengthen their practice in relation to:
- Aistear, through promoting children’s emotional wellbeing, identity and belonging
- Síolta, through fostering supportive and responsive relationships
- First 5, through enhancing understanding of children’s social and emotional development
- Whole-setting approaches to wellbeing, inclusion and family partnership
Participants will gain practical skills and increased confidence in responding to grief, separation and loss in ways that are age-appropriate, compassionate and developmentally informed.
Upcoming Workshop
Grief and Loss in Early Childhood
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
2.00pm – 4.30pm
Topics covered include:
- How babies and young children understand loss, separation and change
- Signs of grief in pre-verbal and early verbal children
- The importance of routine, attachment and secure relationships in early years settings
- Supporting emotional expression through play, stories, routines and sensory activities
- Communicating with children using simple, honest and developmentally appropriate language
- Partnering sensitively with parents and guardians
- Supporting transitions into and out of early years settings during times of family stress
- Creating emotionally safe environments for very young children
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rainbows-professionals-workshop-grief-and-loss-in-early-childhood-tickets-2000605436716
