How do you explain war and death to a five year old?

Answer 1

You don't, let them be innocent as long as you can.

Answer 2

I know that in this day and age it comes up. I talk to a child who asks about the things they do which they know are bad or wrong or hurtful. And I explain that countries can act the same way towards each other. I tell them that this is not what God wants of us. That he wants kindness and forgiveness of others from us. And I explain death as going to be with God. Most children have an instinctive acceptance of the idea of a Creator-
God, though they cannot perhaps express it. So usually a child will simply accept this. But I never explain what is not asked and explain as simply as I can. I do work with the children I work with to help them, when they hurt each other, to understand that what they did is wrong, and to try to (but not force) get them to apologize) and to try to (but not force) get the other child to forgive the child. I believe this is the level most children understand war on--from the bad things they do. Death is harder. A friend's baby sister died and when the parents told her that the baby had gone to be with God the little girl wanted them all to kill themselves so they could be with the sister with God in heaven. You seem to be faced with this. I hope maybe I've given you at least a stimulus to thought to help you with a very very hard question.

Answer 3

It's hard to explain anything to a 5 yr. old, let alone these things.
Kids will tell you they understand when they really don't. Then they form their own conclusions based on what you said and mostly it's wrong the way they express it as oppossed to what you actually said. A 5 yr. old doesn't need to be exposed to these explanations as yet unless they are directly affected by either or both. If they are exposed to either or both they have my blessings, along with the rest of the family. Just do your BEST and take it slow. A little at a time is better and easier for their small minds to absorb and for them to comprehend what you actually said. By no means, lie to the child though.

Answer 4

In very simple terms, making it most clear that there are choices and hurting others is not the good choice.
You can't explain the concept of a country, weapons or wounds in realistic terms, so simplify.Put it in terms that the child has already dealt with and can understand. Like: some people don't agree so they fight and sometimes they hurt each other. And sometimes people die. (Your religion will determine what you tell them about death.) They will grasp as much as they are capable of understanding.

Refusing to explain something to a child is a very wrong choice. If they ask about something, they need an answer. If you don't provide one, they will create one themselves and sometimes it is a very twisted version of things. Make an effort to answer their curiosity.

Answer 5

Kids need to know of the existence of evil, don't give details but be honest. Let them know there is good and evil. They won't be in a bubble all their life and it could be a shock when they discover things by themselves or from a 3rd party. Our oldest daughter use to be OVER friendly and when someone hit her at pre-school for the first time it was a total shock for her, just to give you an example.
Be honest, they know when someone is lying and it will also be a disappointment for them in future years if they discover you keep things from them. Is the foundation of a friendship and leaves the door open for communication.

Answer 6

Let them watch The Lion King. That pretty much struck me on the death part as a kid. As for war, for now tell them that it's like a fight between different countries, and we have to do that to keep our country safe. Of course, when they are older you can tell them the trush, and explain how Bush's caused so many problems.

Answer 7

Tell them:

Sometimes people get into arguments (use example). Well, some people take it to far and begin to fight. But God doesn't want us to fight, he wants peace on earth. But we're human and we sin, like wars. Sometimes, people don't come back from wars, but god still loves them.

War is just a really big fight where people feel the need to hurt each other, this is wrong, but sometimes we still do it (example).

Answer 8

Try to be honest but not harsh. The worst damage you can do is lie--it'll just confuse them. Death is a natural part of life, even if it is tragic.

Answer 9

get those little plastic army men and put some gas on them then burn some plastic so it drips and makes that cool sound and set them ablaze, to explain war. Then get a worm or something and step on it to explain death

Answer 10

You don't. Don't lie, but you cannot burden a child with knowledge they won't be able to process or understand...Depending on your personal/family belief system, you could say that when people die they go to heaven, or they get ready to be reborn, or whatever...

Answer 11

talk with the child about life on the playground and draw some simple analogies. watch the nature shows and tell them about what happened to steve. teach them about reality, that is, nature.