This study analyses the problems facing classroom teachers who must cope with young children who have experienced the death of a parent, a sibling, or a close grandparent. A questionnaire was designed to secure information on the impact of the death of a loved one on the cognitive development of young children. Teachers were asked about the extent of their teacher training in helping children to understand and accept death, and whether or not they felt they possessed the necessary skills to help students who had suffered the death of a close family member. Data were collected from 98 elementary school teachers in Southwestern Louisiana. The data were summarized and analyzed to draw inferences for a solution to the problem of how to help students cope with death and grief without interrupting their cognitive development. (JD)