In two parts, this paper discusses areas in family disruption, describes children's experiences of loss, and suggests strategies for helping children cope with such experiences. Specifically, part one provides: (1) global, normative summary descriptions of adjustment patterns of children from preschool age through adolescence and descriptions of implications for behavior in schools; (2) a description of social/cognitive developmental dimensions of adjustment patterns; (3) a brief depiction of problems faced by the post-divorce family; (4) a discussion of what schools can do to support the child under stress; (5) suggestions for preventive measures schools can take to help students deal with divorce; and (6) comments about other support systems for children and adolescents. Part two briefly discusses stages in children's experience of loss; examines developmental differences in their responses to loss; outlines factors affecting adjustment to loss (such as the closeness of the relationship and the psychological impact of the event); and suggests coping strategies, including communication, support systems, anticipatory education, use of a divorce adjustment profile to gather information, and bibliotherapy. (RH)