Which of these statements reflects a need for bereaved children as identified by the Harvard study?

• A. To socialize with peers regularly
• B. To attend all family events
• C. Continued routine activity
• D. To receive a new bicycle

Answer: (C)

Maintaining normal routines helps bereaved children cope by providing predictability, reducing anxiety, and supporting emotional regulation during a time of loss. The Harvard study emphasizes keeping daily activities steady—like school, meals, and bedtimes—as a way to create stability and a sense of normalcy even while grieving. Among the options, continuing routine activity best reflects this need because it directly reinforces structure and consistency in the child’s life, which research shows supports processing grief and adjustment.

Socializing with peers can be important for support, but it’s not the specific coping mechanism highlighted here. Attending every family event can be overwhelming and isn’t a universal requirement for coping. Receiving a new bicycle is a material item and doesn’t address the protective effect of stable daily routines.