Children's Wind Phones
Le téléphone du vent
Villars-Burquin, Switzerland
Grief touches children quietly and deeply. Whether through the death of a loved one, a pet, divorce, relocation, or other life transitions, children often struggle to find the words or outlets to express what they carry. A Wind Phone offers them something rare, a safe, quiet, symbolic space to speak and remember. Whether they whisper, shout, or sit in silence holding the receiver, the phone becomes a tool for connection, comfort, and healing. Wind Phones can help children feel heard, comforted, and less alone.
On this page, you will find thoughtful ways Wind Phones can gently support children through grief with tenderness, care, and creativity, including resources for parents, caregivers, and educators. Wind Phones are gently helping children give voice to their feelings—one call at a time.
Please check back often, this page is a work in progress!
Public access locations can be found on the My Wind Phone Map.
Using a Wind Phone with Your Child
A gentle tool for big feelings
It’s hard to know what to say when your child is hurting. Grief can come from many places - a move, the loss of a pet, a friend, or someone they love. And often, kids don’t know how to talk about it. As parents, we don’t always know what to say either. That’s why I’ve included a short script to help you begin. It’s not fancy. It’s just a gentle way to say, “I’m here. It’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to talk. I’m listening.” The Wind Phone can be a quiet space for those big feelings—spoken or unspoken—to be held with love.
Wind Phones for Children
Children and families at the Wind Phone
A few thoughts after two years of experience with Switzerland's first Wind Phone
By Patrick Genaine
I’m honored to share the writing of my friend and Wind Phone “guardian” Mr. Patrick Genaine, the creator of Le téléphone du vent in Villars-Burquin, Switzerland. With decades of experience in psychology, social work, and grief support, his life’s work has centered on walking alongside others in their most tender moments. After losing a child at birth, he turned his personal grief into a deep commitment to helping others heal. Today, through his private practice and his Wind Phone, he continues to offer a quiet, compassionate presence to those navigating loss.
I’m deeply grateful to Patrick—for his friendship, for his contributions to our Children’s Wind Phone section, and for all the ways he helps grow and guide this beautiful movement.
Children and families at the Wind Phone
A few thoughts after two years of experience with Switzerland's first wind phone.
By Patrick Genaine
The booth in Villars-Burquin was the first to make a phone available for children. The idea came to me during its construction. I felt that this device could be a great help to children experiencing grief, and I thought it would be interesting to add a specific phone for them. Mine is green, with little hearts and shiny stars stuck on it. So, it's called the heart and stars phone. Next to the phone, I put up the following sign:
For Children, The Choice of Phone
For some children, it will be important to be able to use the same phone as adults, “the grown-ups' phone.”
But, for others, having a special device just for them will help them express themselves. That's why the Heart and Stars Phone is available.
And maybe some children will want to use both... why not!
And maybe some parents will want to use the Heart and Stars Phone to call their child or baby.
Anything is possible.
