What are normal grief behaviors in school-age children versus signs that need professional help?

Normal grief includes sadness, anger, guilt ('Was it my fault?'), temporary regression in behavior, difficulty concentrating at school, physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches), and fluctuating between sadness and normal play. These typically improve gradually over weeks to months. Seek professional help if grief persists intensely beyond 6 months, your child expresses wanting to die or be with the deceased person, refuses to attend school or socialize for extended periods, or shows severe behavioral changes. Consult your pediatrician for a referral to a grief counselor.