How to explain the concept of death to a child - Research Paper Example

Therefore, parents and adults should be considerate and selective when explaining death. Erik Erikson’s stages of development perceive that human beings will have to confront new challenges. To children, death is one of the challenges they will have to master and know how to deal with it. Successful completion of this stage and tackling the challenges effectively paves way for better development. For instance,  while in the psychosocial stages, children learn to be responsible and doing everything right.

In this aspect, they also learn to grasp various concepts and knowledge, which includes the aspect of death. To begin with, children have heard of death from cartoons, fairy tales and often hear it in their daily lives. This makes children inquisitive about death and the reasons behind its occurrence. First, parents and adults have to explain that death is a part of life that is inescapable. Therefore, all humans must face death when the time comes. However, this should be told in the most subtle way.

For example, if it explicitly explained in harsh tones, the child may have immense fear and inappropriate for death. This could damage the development of the child. Though people should fear death, it has to be explained in that children will not be affected in their daily lives. For example, the Piaget theory of cognitive development suggests that during development, humans acquire and use knowledge. Initially developed by Jean Piaget, it states that there is need for cooperation to enhance moral standards.

Therefore, children gradually understand some concepts through guidance. As a fact, the society should help children to attain the best knowledge concerning death. This will help in weeding out any negative perceptions and concerns regarding death. Consequentially, it should be noted that adults and parents should create an environment that is conducive to the children (Seibert, Judy and Fetro 7). For example, they should create an environment that is comforting and relaxing. As such, the children will have utter concentration concerning the subject.

For example, explaining the concept of death to a child in sheer darkness is scaring. This could affect child development. Similarly, the explanation should be easy to understand. Apparently, children have a hard time understanding vocabularies. Therefore, limiting vocabularies will pave room for understanding. This is explicitly explained by Terror Management Theory as stated by Ernest Becker. It states that conflict may arise when children discover death is predestined. Therefore, children should taught using cultural significances that explain life is meaningful than death.

With several cultural beliefs, children will be able to manage terror that could occur after death. Secondly, parents and adults should consider the age of a child before explaining the aspects of death. Different children at different ages will have a different capacity and level to understand death. For example, a toddler is not likely to decipher the meaning of death. However, preschool children will have a better understanding. Apparently, preschool children note that death is an occurrence feared by adults.

As such, they will try to demystify the situation by knowing what death means. In such times, parents and adults who understand death should encourage children to ask questions whenever possible. Utterly inquisitive children will want to understand better and these questions should be answered at ease. Thirdly,