ERIC_NO:
ED370037
TITLE:
Dying and Death: Helping Children Cope.
AUTHOR:
Ledezma, Melissa L.
PUBLICATION_DATE:
1994
ABSTRACT:
This paper suggests strategies for helping children understand death. The early experiences of childhood build the foundation on which the child
establishes a healthy orientation towards life and living. Grieving parents
are often so upset by their own loss that they do not carefully explain
death to their children. Parents may feel that the child is too young
or that they are protecting the child from grief, but the child ends up
confused and unsure about death and dying. Although children frequently
see people and animals dying in the movies and television, death is not
an easy thing for a child to understand. Parents or guardians should be
honest and open about death and receptive to a child's questions. Children
should know that it is okay to cry and parents must realize that children
of different ages interpret death in various ways. The death of a sibling
is presented here as especially difficult for children to understand.
They may resent their parents for not preventing the death or they may
feel guilt themselves and that they somehow contributed to their brother's
or sister's dying. A parent's death may also instill great anxiety about
who will take care of the child. Death is often associated with the elderly.
Unexpected deaths particularly leave children confused and angry. Therefore,
open discussions rather than attempts to hide reality are necessary to
help children cope with death. (RJM)
MAJOR_DESCRIPTORS:
Coping; Death;
MINOR DESCRIPTORS:
Adjustment (to Environment); Adolescents; Children; Elementary Secondary Education; Grief; Life Events; Mental Health;
IDENTIFIERS:
*Dying
PUBLICATION_TYPE:
120