Just like adults, children of all ages need time and understanding in order to process the concept of death and dying. This process is much different for children than it is for adults. There are 4 components relative to children's understanding of death: (a) the irreversibility factor, (b) finality, (c) inevitability, and (d) causality. These 4 components relate directly to the developmental level of the child at the time the death occurs. Knowing how children's concept of death is constructed provides parents and caregivers important information and helps them respond more sensitively to what children might feel and experience. This article provides an overview of how children under-stand death, concrete strategies for talking to children about death, and suggestions for teachers about how to help children through grief and mourning.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-20268 |
Date | 01 January 2002 |
Creators | Willis, Clarissa A. |
Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
Detected Language | English |
Type | text |
Source | ETSU Faculty Works |
Page generated in 0.0015 seconds