This complete lesson pack from Little Lives Listening Service supports pupils in Years 4–6 to explore loss, bereavement and the feelings that can arise when someone important dies. The session is designed to be safe, sensitive and fully guided, helping pupils develop emotional literacy while giving teachers clear structure and support.

The lesson uses discussion, sorting activities, reflection tasks and a story stimulus (The Heart and the Bottle) to help children understand how people experience and cope with grief. All resources referenced in the lesson plan are included.

What’s Included
Full 60‑minute KS2 lesson plan
Clear timings, teacher guidance, key questions and slide references.

“Things We Sometimes Lose” flashcards
Used for group discussion and ranking activities exploring different types of loss.

Heart in the Bottle activity sheets
Visual reflection task linked to the story, supporting pupils to identify and express feelings.

Rainbow Breathing template
Printable calming strategy for the end of the lesson or regular classroom use.

KS2 lesson slides (Harry’s Rainbow)
Child‑friendly slides guiding each step of the session.

Optional Reflection Box slips
Printable prompts for pupils to leave anonymous questions or worries.

Lesson Themes
What “loss” means in different contexts

How bereavement can affect feelings

Why people sometimes hide emotions

Healthy coping strategies

Who pupils can talk to when they need support

Understanding that feelings change over time

The lesson encourages thoughtful discussion, emotional awareness and respectful communication.

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

Name feelings linked to sadness and loss

Explain what bereavement means

Discuss sensitive topics respectfully

Identify trusted adults they can speak to

Understand that people cope with grief in different ways

Teacher Guidance
The pack includes advice on:

Creating a safe learning environment

Using neutral language

Supporting pupils who may have experienced bereavement

Managing sensitive discussions

Extending learning through science, literacy and wellbeing activities

Suitable For
PSHE lessons

Pastoral or nurture groups

Bereavement awareness sessions

Whole‑school wellbeing programmes

Format:
Printable PDF worksheets ZIP format - pack has 6 files which you need to extract from the ZIP folder

NOTE: To open the ZIP folder, right-click the file on Windows and select “Extract All”, or double-click the file on a Mac or iPhone/iPad to automatically unpack the contents into a new, normal folder in the same location.