Why Children Need To Learn About Death

In this powerful interview, Principal Parveen Shaikh of The Somaiya School in Mumbai, India, breaks the silence around one of education's most avoided topics: discussing death with children. 

What You'll Learn:
✅ How to use bibliotherapy (picture books) to start difficult conversations
✅ The 4 key death concepts children need to understand
✅ Building stronger home-school connections during family crises
✅ Professional development strategies for teacher support
✅ Creating inclusive classrooms that address real-life challenges
✅ Effective teaching approaches for sensitive topics

Parveen shares her expertise in school leadership, teacher coaching, and creating supportive school culture. Learn how teachers can provide student support while maintaining classroom management during emotionally challenging times. This approach emphasizes whole child development and culturally responsive teaching.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Parveen Shaikh
2:15 - Why Death Became a Taboo Topic in Schools
4:30 - The Power of Bibliotherapy in Education
7:45 - Four Key Death Concepts for Children
11:20 - Teacher-Student Relationships and Trust
14:10 - Home-School Connection in India vs. US
17:30 - Mental Health Stigma and Cultural Barriers
20:45 - Training Teachers for Difficult Conversations
24:15 - Building Inclusive School Libraries
26:30 - Addressing Other Taboo Topics (Gender, LGBTQ)
28:45 - Key Takeaways for Educators and Parents

Parveen’s Published Writing:

• Shaikh, Parveen. (2019). Yet Another Milestone. K12 Digest-Independent International K12 Education Portal & Magazine.
• Shaikh, Parveen. (2022). Having Those Difficult Conversations. Teacher Plus Magazine.

Parveen’s Recommended Resources:

Picture Books:

• <reading age 3 -7 years>
  • Where Do They Go? by Julia Alvarez (2016)
• <reading age 4 - 8 years>
  • The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers (2010)
  • Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved (2016)
  • Gone Grandmother by Chatura Rao (2016)
  • Boo: When My Sister Died by Richa Jha and Gautam Bnegal (2017)
• <reading age 7 - 9 years>
  • Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch (2011)

When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.