Death just as life itself is a major aspect of human existence as it marks the end of life for all individuals. The understanding of the concept of death in particular what it means to die differs by age with children's perspectives varying to those of adults. Young infants from birth up to one year do not response to the loss emanating from the death of close family members or friends, as they have no ability to conceptualize death. For older infants aged between one and two years, the death of a caregiver may lead to depression or displeasure but the children cannot attribute meaning to death. The only reason that these children know that there is a problem is that they take the cue from the reactions from the older family members or parents.
Children who are aged from two to six years old have a vague understanding of death as they view it as a temporary and a reversible phenomenon. More so, these children tend to think that death can only happen to others, as they are immune to it (Krepia, Krepia & Tsilingiri 2017). At times, the children in this age bracket become interested in death and may want to see or even touch dead things. Six to nine years-olds develop a clearer understanding of death and they become interested in both biological and physical aspects of death. By the time they reach nine, most children’s views about death match the views of adults, as they now know that death is not reversible (Krepia, Krepia, & Tsilingiri 2017). However, at this stage children still think that they are immune to death which can only happen to others.
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Children’s concept of death expands from nine to 12 years and they are now aware that they too are capable of dying. At this age, children develop a more objective curiosity and wonder how dead bodies look and feel. Moreover, children at this age are interested to know what happens after death but they tend to deny death as a universal and final (Krepia, Krepia & Tsilingiri 2017). Older children from 12 through adolescence view death abstractly and subjectively owing to increased egocentrism where they think of themselves as immortal. At this age, children will begin to question their purpose in life and may romanticize death as a way to escape. The reason for this view is the fact that movies and televisions, tend to portray that it is easy deal with death. In as much as children at this age have a developed perspective on death, they still think that death only happens to others.
Caregivers and parents have the responsibility of helping children of all ages to understand death and its implication. In particular, they should help the children realize that death is permanent, universal, and a part of human existence. Of importance, the adults should help the children realize that although people have died, the children can put them in their minds. Finally, children should be taught to accept the death of their loved ones as there was no other way but death.
Reference
Krepia, M., Krepia, V., & Tsilingiri, M. (2017). School children’s perception of the concept of death. International Journal of Caring Sciences , 10(3), 1717-1722,
