Preparing a child for a teacher's death?

[Kerrie]

I need some thoughts and guidance. My son's teacher is dying. He is almost 7 and in first grade. His teacher Mrs. Y has not been in the classroom since December. I have know that she was not well and getting worse and that was confirmed for me today. I am trying to figure out how to handle this with him and his sisters. We also go to church with the family and they have a daughter that is one year older than my 8 year old. They know she is sick and have been hearing her name in the prayer list for quite some time at church. DS made Mrs. Y a card last weekend and sent it to her. He started crying and talking about missing her. We have been open with the kids while trying to keep everything age appropriate. Has anyone dealt with this? How? Any thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks.

[eepster]

These books help DS when my mother was very sick and then died.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Someone-Y...9657098&sr=8-2 (this one is specific to cancer, but I believe the series has other illnesses if his teacher doesn't have cancer.)

http://www.amazon.com/Waterbugs-Drag...9657211&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/When-Dinosaurs...9657249&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Miss-You-First...d_bxgy_b_img_b

Can he visit her?

[hermionesmum]

If he's friendly with his teacher's child could you gently ask the family what explanation/language has been used so you could mirror it? They are probably very well placed to recommend resources and it might be nice to tell them how much this lady means to your son.
I started to reply because my own kids lost their first dance teacher but the more I think about it, the more kids I remember we've known lose a parent or sibling; and how anxious I was to talk to them at the right level and get my kids to be sensitive to their feelings.
Presumably the school will also be preparing to cope with a class full of grieving kids, so you could ask how they intend to acknowledge the loss, guide your son towards doing something positive like fund raising in her memory perhaps?

We can't protect them from grief unfortunately, but I certainly feel for you as you wait for it *hugs and prayers*