Children have no real awareness of death in the first years of life. They also cannot yet distinguish between living and non-living things. However, when a loved one dies, they can sense this and miss the presence of the person and the warmth and attention the person gave.
It is difficult for them to understand that death is forever. For example, they think grandpa will come back to visit at Christmas, and mom will be back at school soon.
At this age, children can really miss the deceased and long to be together.
They have already come to understand the difference between life and death.
🧵 2/5
Children have no real awareness of death in the first years of life. They also cannot yet distinguish between living and non-living things. However, when a loved one dies, they can sense this and miss the presence of the person and the warmth and attention the person gave.
🧵 3/5
It is difficult for them to understand that death is forever. For example, they think grandpa will come back to visit at Christmas, and mom will be back at school soon.
At this age, children can really miss the deceased and long to be together.
They have already come to understand the difference between life and death.
🧵 4/5
Preschoolers often express their grief through a change in behavior.
Going back to bedwetting or thumb-sucking may be the outcome. This is because they don't feel safe.
Because their vocabulary is still limited, they cannot articulate well how they feel, so they use behavior and play to make clear what they need.
🧵 5/5
#gosh
https://inleo.io/@meraki7578/helping-little-hearts-heal-a-guide-to-supporting-children-through-grief