Young Children's Concepts of Dying and Dead

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Abstract
30 boys and 30 girls, ages 4 to 9 yr., were observed in two play situations involving themes about dying and dead and were asked four questions concerning death. The children's play indicated increasing accuracy in their understanding of the concepts of dying and dead. Their answers to the questions also indicated accuracy increased with age. There were, however, differences between their play understanding and their verbal expressiveness. Children's play frequently contradicts what they say about dying and death, sometimes indicating a more complete understanding than verbal expression would suggest, sometimes reflecting a failure to grasp freely the concepts they speak about. Concepts of dying and death are hard for children to understand and to accept; the data indicate that it is not until 8 or 9 yr. that play and verbal expressions come to terms with each other.

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