The constructive use of ghost imagery in childhood grief.

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years do not have a fully developed capacity to put thoughts into words . Because of this, caregivers often erroneously assume they are not grieving. It is common for children at this age to experience an unspecific distress that may be manifested as a fluctuating denial, and the emotional pain of the loss can he sustained only for short periods of time . This age group may repeatedly ask when the deceased parent will return home, even after having The Arts in Psychotherapy, Vol . 21 . No. 1, pp . 17-24 . 1994 Copyright C 1994 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in the USA . All rights reserved 0197-4556/94 56 .00 + .00