This month we have been talking about traditions remembering the dead, specifically Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Our upcoming podcast will discuss more about the tradition itself, but we wanted to share more about talking with children.
The Disney movie Coco is a fantastic vehicle to begin the conversation around death and also to help children remember deceased family members. By involving them in memorials, it can help them through their own grief at the loss and also keep memories alive. See the resources below for ideas.
How Coco can help with discussions about Death
- How to Use Pixar’s Coco to Teach about Death [Cinematherapy Guide] – Byrd Psychotherapy
- Coco and other movies that help explain death and grief – Funeralguide.net
- Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), An opportunity to start a conversation about death. – Psychology Today
Teaching Activities for Day of the Dead
- 43 Coco Movie Lesson Plans, Activities and Teaching Resources – Homeschool Super Freak
- Coco: A Story about Music, Shoes, and Family (Teacher’s Guide) – Disney Books
- 9 DIY ways to celebrate Day of the Dead with Kids (Arts and crafts to honor Día de Muertos) – Parent Map
Virtual Ofrenda
Be sure to join us for a “watch party” this week as we all watch Coco. We are also challenging our listeners to share a story of someone special they want to remember. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – hashtag #RememberingMyCoco
My special one was 44 old and she passed away on May 2020. Everyone dies, but in 2020 most people die prematurely by COVID 19. This 44-year-old friend was a veteran who worked in the healthcare for about 22 years. She wanted to work remotely because of health-related conditions but she was denied. She continued to physically come to work until she contracted COVID 19😔, spent 1.5 months in the hospital on a ventilator, and later died. It was a terrible moment for all of us who were familiar with this decent lady because her death could have prevented. She was not ready to die so early, she had a strong personality, she was a God-fearing person and an active member of the church. May her soul rest in peace. #RememberingMyCoc