Bridging the Gap: Pediatric Death Education

Pediatric Death Education

Caring for a child who is seriously ill or approaching the end of life is unlike any other kind of end-of-life experience. It can bring fear, uncertainty, difficult questions, and emotions that can be hard to navigate, not only for the child, but for the entire family.

This six-week course invites end-of-life doulas into that space with compassion, curiosity, and confidence.

Approaching pediatric death education from a non-clinical perspective, we will explore the unique needs of children and families facing serious illness, palliative care, and end of life. Each week will focus on a different area of care, helping doulas understand where they can provide meaningful support and how they can help bridge the gaps that families often experience.

Together, we will explore ways to communicate with parents and caregivers, understand what families may be experiencing, recognize the ways children may express their needs and emotions, and become more familiar with the physical, emotional, and relational changes that may occur as a child approaches the end of life. We will also look at the importance of presence, listening, sibling support, rituals, memory-making, and caring for the family as a whole.

This is not a course about having all the answers. It is about learning how to show up.

Each class will combine education, thoughtful questions, conversation, interaction, and space for curiosity. We will talk about difficult things, but we will do it together, creating a learning environment where questions are welcomed and no one is expected to know everything.

By the end of these six weeks, you will have greater knowledge, greater confidence, and practical tools to help you feel more prepared to support children and families when end of life is near.

You will also end up with a curated collection of resources, including books, podcasts, organizations, and opportunities for further learning, to continue expanding your understanding long after the course ends.

You do not have to be a pediatric expert to make a difference in the life of a child or family. You simply need the willingness to learn, the courage to be present, and the heart to walk into the room.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION / CERTIFICATE:

Throughout this course, participants will:

• • Read "Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief" by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore.

  • Familiarize yourself with the online learning platform.

  • Attend 6 weekly live video conferencing calls on Zoom - for a total of 12 hours (recordings will be made available).

  • Move through course Modules in our learning platform together, in order, between live video conferencing calls.

  • Participate in discussion with guest speakers and with one another, absorb information shared through PowerPoint presentations, and reflect for brief periods of journaling throughout Zoom calls.

  • Commit to completing weekly homework - reading articles, watching interviews and videos, listening to podcasts, and submitting written reflections.

  • Have access to a computer, internet, and technical fluency sufficient to satisfy course requirements.

  • Submit written reflections for review (if seeking a Certificate of Completion).