This age group may view death as temporary or reversible, as in cartoons. Preschool-aged children may start to understand that adults fear death. To them, death is not a permanent condition Preschool Toddlers may not understand the terms 'death' or 'forever' or 'permanent.' Even with past experiences with death, the child may not understand the relationship between life and death. They may feel anxious and afraid because those around them are sad, depressed, scared, or angry. Toddlerįor the toddler, death has very little meaning. Because babies can't talk about their needs, fear is often expressed by crying. Keeping a consistent routine is important for a baby and their caregivers. A baby who is terminally ill will need as much physical and emotional care as any age group.

Babies do react to separation from a parent, painful procedures, and any change in their routine. The following are children's ideas of death, according to common developmental ages. But it may help ease some of the fear and confusion linked with it.Ĭhildren may be more or less mature in their thinking and processing information than others at a similar age. Treating death as a part of life is hard. The child may have experienced death of a family member, friend, or pet in the past.Īn adult's feelings and fear about death are often transferred to his or her children.

Cartoons, movies, TV, video games, and even books are filled with images of death. Past experiences with death, as well as age, emotional development, and surroundings are what most influence a child's idea of death. Every child has his or her own concept of death.

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