Testimonial
Professional Review of Growing Memories:
A Musical Audio Circle Story of Love, Loss, and Resilience.
Reviewed by:
Ami Armagost, MSW, RSW
Grief Therapist
AWC Grief Support
She/her
ami@awcgrief.com
www.awcgrief.com
It was a pleasure experiencing the first chapter of Growing Memories. The story and language is simple yet thoughtful. The illustrations, music and sounds add a gentle tone while activating the imagination and enhancing engagement. The story is touching and beautifully put together.
This digital storybook provides adults with a practical framework for supporting children in understanding death and emotional responses to loss. The use of story, illustration, and music, connected to the world around them, creates a meaningful and engaging learning experience. There is an overall sense of calmness consistent throughout the chapter. The child-appropriate and thoughtful prompts encourage emotional expression, reflection, and learning. This is a gentle, compassionate, and valuable resource for adults supporting children.
Thank you for sharing your work, and for all the effort you put into creating a resource for children and the adults supporting them.
About Laurel / Creator + Educator Trust + School Adoption Credentials + Services + Advocacy
Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) | Bereavement Education Advocate | Youth Educator | Trauma-Informed Practitioner
Laurel is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), bereavement education advocate, youth educator, and creator of Growing Memories, a musical storytelling resource supporting children, families, educators, and communities through conversations about grief, loss, memory, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
With over 25 years of experience working with children, youth, families, and educators, Laurie’s work is rooted in relationship-based learning, restorative communication, nature connection, trauma-informed approaches, bereavement education, and social-emotional learning (SEL).
Through Growing Memories, she brings together storytelling, music, reflective practices, and circle-based learning to create gentle opportunities for children to explore feelings, navigate change, honour memories, and develop emotional literacy.
Her work is guided by the belief that children deserve safe, compassionate spaces where their voices are heard, their experiences are respected, and difficult conversations about grief and loss can be approached with care.
Professional Background
Youth Work & Early Childhood Education
1998–Present
She focuses on supporting children and youth through meaningful relationships, creative expression, outdoor learning, and community connection. Laurel brings together child-centred education, nature-based learning, restorative communication, and compassionate approaches to supporting emotional wellbeing. Through this integrated approach, she creates spaces where children can feel safe, connected, heard, and supported in expressing their experiences.
Education & Professional Certifications
Early Childhood Education Diploma (RECE)
Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada (2012)
Professional training in child development, responsive caregiving, play-based learning, relationships, and creating supportive learning environments for children.
Specialized Bereavement & Trauma-Informed Learning
In addition to her professional certifications, Laurie has completed specialized learning focused on childhood grief, school-based bereavement support, and trauma-informed education.
2024/2025
UK Training Trauma-Informed Practice
Certification
Child Bereavement UK
http://www.childbereavementuk.or
i. Supporting bereaved pupils and managing bereavement in schools
ii. Supporting teenagers and young adults with grief and bereavement
iii. Child & Family Bereavement Certification CBUK
UK Trauma Council Courses (2025):
i.Trauma-Informed Practice
ii.Trauma & Learning Disabilities
Webinar: Bereavement, Grief, and Loss/Bereavement Policies in Schools – Dr Tina Rae - Equip teachers with tools & techniques for helping young people navigate the grieving process by providing a range of evidence-based, practical tools and strategies.
Somatic EMDR Therapy Certification
The Embody Lab (2023)
Training in body-based approaches supporting emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed practices.
Bereavement Facilitation Training
Center for Loss & Life Transition – Dr. Alan Wolfelt (2021–2022)
Professional learning in grief education, compassionate bereavement support, and the practice of companioning through witnessing the experiences of individuals and families navigating loss.
Trauma-Informed Care Training
Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (2021/2022)
Training focused on trauma awareness, supportive responses, emotional safety, and creating environments that foster resilience and connection.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Talk Tools Training (2022)
Training focused on recognizing distress, offering supportive intervention, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources
Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO)
Bereavement Facilitation Certification (2020)
Specialized training in bereavement facilitation, grief education, active listening, compassionate communication, and supporting individuals and families navigating loss. This foundation informs a trauma-informed, grief-literacy approach to supporting children and communities.
Palliative Care & Hospice Training
Lanark County Home Support (2018)
Education in compassionate care approaches, end-of-life awareness, and supporting individuals and families experiencing illness, dying, and loss.
Professional Experience
Nature Connection & Restorative Communication Circles with Youth
2003–Present
Facilitate a nature-based learning experiences and restorative communication circles supporting children and youth in developing:
-emotional literacy
-empathy and listening skills
-confidence in expressing their voices
-respectful communication
-community connection
Restorative circles offer children opportunities to communicate safely, listen deeply, and participate in meaningful conversations within supportive communities.
Montessori Early Childhood Education
2010–2011
Podocarpus National Park, Loja, Ecuador
Facilitated a Montessori educational setting supporting children’s learning through child-centred education, creativity, language development, and connection with the natural environment.
Lanark Highlands Forest Program Director
2015–2020
Directed outdoor education programming focused on:
-nature connection/ eco-literacy
-environmental learning
-youth leadership
-experiential education
-community relationships
Outdoor Education Facilitator
2018–2019
Upper Canada District School Board – Drummond Public School
The Garden as the Outdoor Elementary School Classroom (K-8)
Facilitated nature connection and outdoor education experiences integrating:
eco-literacy
sensory awareness
inquiry-based learning
hands-on exploration
connection to place
Lecturer – Early Childhood Education Program
2018 - Present
Algonquin College
Guest Lecturer- Facilitated learning experiences for Early Childhood Education students exploring:
sensory awareness
eco-literacy
outdoor classroom practices
nature-based learning approaches
Rediscovery Program – Banff National Park
1993–1999
Participated in cultural outdoor education programming focused on:
experiential learning
environmental awareness
connection to place
community-based education
Shadowed indigenous elders in the Rocky Mountain Back-Country
Bereavement & Grief Consultation Services
In-Person & Online
Individual & Group Work
Laurie provides compassionate companionship, grief education and consultation for children, families, educators, and organizations.
Services Include:
Bespoke Bereavement Sessions
Individual and group support tailored to the needs of schools, families, and communities.
Bereavement Companionship Circles
Virtual sessions for educators exploring grief literacy, supportive responses, and school-based bereavement awareness.
Eco-Literacy & Circle-based Education
Nature connection programs supporting youth through reflection, creativity, memory, and connection with the natural world.
Somatic Grief Work
Body-based approaches supporting emotional awareness, regulation, and compassionate exploration.
Somatic Exploration & Nature Connection Workshops
Guided experiential sessions combining nature connection, reflection, and embodied awareness.
Online Journaling Sessions
Reflective email prompts supporting personal exploration, memory, and emotional awareness.
Advocacy
Bereavement Education in Schools
Laurie advocates for increased awareness and support for children experiencing grief and bereavement within educational settings.
Normalizing conversations about death and dying
Supporting educators with grief-informed tools
Creating emotionally safe spaces for children
Integrating bereavement awareness into social-emotional learning
Encouraging restorative communication practices
Supporting compassionate school communities
Growing Memories provides educators and caregivers with a gentle, meaningful resource to support children’s emotional literacy, connection, memory-making, and understanding of loss.
Growing Memories is an educational resource, not a therapy program. It is designed to complement school wellbeing initiatives and support compassionate conversations guided by caring adults.
Growing Memories School Resource
Growing Memories supports educators seeking practical tools for:
Social-emotional learning (SEL)
Bereavement awareness
Emotional literacy
Restorative circle learning
Nature connection
Memory and meaning-making activities
Through music, storytelling, and guided reflection, Growing Memories helps create spaces
where children feel heard, supported, and connected.