Explaining death 2 a child?

Question

For all the evolutionists, how do you explain death to a child? A part of me wants to get you into a corner, while another sincerely wants to know

Answer 1

Why not keep evolution out of the picture for now? As the child grows, he or she will learn about that subject anyway.

But for now, you need to explain the transitory nature of the physical world we live in, where everything that has a beginning must have an end. You may illustrate with actual people or pets that have passed on. Do not forget to mention that while we may no longer see them physically, we may continue to meet them in the dream state.

Answer 2

Well death to a child is not nessearly a bad thing beacuse you never know wat the child might grow up to be. He might be bad person and to bad things so it won't let him go to heaven. But as a child is young his sins are little so his chances of going to heaven are greater beacuse a child doesn't really know the right form wrong. Also, you don't know if this child is going to have he might be very ill and fight all his life against that illnes so i think it's better then to die then to live in pain all your life. ANd im sure the child will be in a great place in heaven AND god only does the thing that are good for u and the child. So even with a the science and medical things. WHen god wants a person he will take him even if he's the richest guy with the best doctor everybody has his time and nobody will change that time. So u can't explain a death of a child beacuse he is young. it was his time and god know more then us

Answer 3

It would depend on what the child's particular questions were. So lets do some likely hypotheticals:

Child: Am I going to die?
Me: Yes. But not for a long time so you don't have to worry about it. All living things die. It's a part of life.

Child: What happens to you after you die?
Me: No one knows. Some people believe you go to heaven if you've been good and hell if you've been bad. Some people believe that you come back as someone else. Some people believe that nothing happens and we just die. It depends on whichever makes sense to you.

Child: What do you think happens?
Me: I think that we just die. I don't really have a reason to think anything else.

Child: But what if you're wrong?
Me: I guess I'll find out if I'm right or wrong when it happens. As for right now, just try to enjoy your life.

Child: How long will I live?
Me: No one knows that either. But most people live till they're about 80.

Child: Why do people die?
Me: Because our bodies don't last forever. They break down. That's why you have to eat, to keep your body going, like putting gas in a car. But eventually, we get too old or get hurt too bad and we can't keep going.

I could keep going, but you catch my drift. I would be honest with the kid. I wouldn't shield then from the realities of life and death because I think it would leave them ill prepared. And if the child kept asking questions, I'd take them the library so they could start to find answers for themselves.

Answer 4

1. "Evolutionist" is not a word.

2. You don't have to have no religion to agree with evolution. I don't see what you're getting at. What does evolution have to do with death?

3. Read a book besides the bible.

4. I, personally, would tell the child that whomever had died is no longer in pain.

PS: If you "got me in a corner" you would soon lose possession of your little friend downstairs, I'm afraid. But don't worry, you'd get it back after I forced you to eat it.

Answer 5

I say that "Grandma has died." I then explain that though we won't see her again, we can honor her by keeping her memory alive.

It's sad, but pretty straight-forward. It is like a pet dying. I was also recommened the book "10 Good Things About Barney" which I didn't care for, but my daughter liked and took comfort in.

For my daughter, who was in the 3rd grade at the time, we spent time volunteering at the senior center and took up knitting because grandma liked to do that and it made her not miss her so much.

I don't know why you'd want to "get me in a corner" over it. Death is sad. Explaining it to a child is sad and difficult - if you believe in god or not.

Answer 6

depends how old the child is.

It is a hard one, thats for sure.

You can tell the child that the person who has died,(x), is looking after them, and will never,ever leave them. They are having a big sleep, in a far away land.
Tell them that x always loved them, and they wouldn't have left them if they had a choice.

Tell them that x will always be with them and if the child closes thier eyes, they may be able to feel x with them.

Ask the child how they feel about X, and listen, really listen. Often a child just needs reassurance.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Death is a natural part of life and it is something that at some point you will have to talk to kids about. Be honest with them. Make sure that they understand that dying is not a something that happens to bad people. Explain that it is peaceful and that it is not the end. THat they people can live forever in your heart and your mind. ENcourage them to ask questions and not to be scared of death. Just be honest is the most important thing.
There are a lot of books that you can read that make it easier for them to understand as well.

Answer 8

Assuming you're going for an answer that is not faith-based, I believe the best way to explain it to a child is that it's just part of life. We are born, we live, and we die. There are many different reasons why some people die before others. I don't think you have to have a whole "He/She is with God now" speech. After all, no offense but don't you think it's getting kinda crowded up there with all the believers who think they're going to heaven?

Answer 9

It is over protective attitude that is making such explanation difficult. No one can avoid death. Accident and tragedy do happen. The trauma of murder must be eliminated with a correct attitude. You want to tell the child that death is not to be afraid of but life is valuable.

Answer 10

I am 50 and I have a 6 yr old. How can I tell her that I will never leave her and that I will always protect her? Sorry sweetheart! when I die your on your own and you will never see me again. What a liar! is all she will remember. How could you dad? No!- I will tell her that this is just the beginning and where I go you will follow. I'll not let nothing separate me from my daughter or son: period! We may appear as material but what we really are is spirit, and spirit says I will never be separated from my son or daughter. What is your choice?

I believe in evolution by design. Science and religion.

Peace...