About *Growing Memories* Audio Story Please note: This resource includes the full audio story and accompanying audio-resource materials.  It does not include the Growing Memories digital storybook. Please read the Author’s Recommendation below for information about the complete Growing Memories Resource Bundle.  A Grief Literacy Audio Resource for Children and the Adults Who Support Them **Growing Memories** is a gentle, nature-inspired musical audio story and circle-based learning experience created for children ages **5–8** and the caring adults who support them. The story unfolds across **nine chapters and a closing epilogue**, offering approximately 40 minutes of professionally produced audio. It can be experienced as a **10-week circle-based journey**, while individual chapters can also be explored independently according to the needs, interests, and pace of each child or group. Grief Is Not Linear Grief is not a straight path with a beginning, middle, and end. It is **cyclical, unfolding, and deeply personal**. Feelings, memories, questions, and experiences of loss may return in different ways as children grow and develop. *Growing Memories* reflects this understanding. Rather than presenting grief as a process children are expected to complete, it offers a gentle framework that can be revisited over time. The stories, songs, nature experiences, and reflective activities invite children and caring adults to **return, listen again, talk, wonder, remember, and make meaning** as their understanding develops.  Author's Recommendation While the audio story can be experienced on its own, the author recommends exploring the **complete *Growing Memories* Resource Bundle** to fully understand the scope and inter-arts approach of the program. The complete bundle brings together: * the musical audio story and visual digital storybooks * original songs * body-and-breath regulation activities * nature connection experiences * reflective activities * supporting educational resources Together, these components offer multiple ways for children to engage with themes of loss, remembrance, connection, and renewal through **listening, visual experience, movement, embodied regulation, reflection, and connection**. The audio story provides an important entry point into the world of *Growing Memories*. Experiencing the full resource bundle, however, provides a broader understanding of how these elements are designed to work together within a **circle-based, developmentally responsive learning experience**. For professionals considering *Growing Memories* for educational, child-care, family-care, bereavement, or community settings, experiencing the complete program is therefore recommended.  A Framework for Returning Over Time A child may experience the same story differently today than they do several weeks or months from now. As children grow, familiar stories and activities can open new questions, connections, and understandings. For this reason, *Growing Memories* is not intended to prescribe a timeline for grief. The **365-day access period** provides time to experience the complete audio story, explore its seasonal themes, revisit individual chapters, and consider how the resource may fit within your own setting and practice. The 10-week audio journey is a framework - not a prescribed timeline for grief.** *Growing Memories* can continue to support repeated listening, reflection, and conversation as children explore their experiences of loss, remembrance, connection, and renewal over time. Connect with Laurel to schedule and orientation of the Growing Memories Resource.  [email protected]