Children’s Developmental Response to Grief and Loss
Ages 2-7
The child thinks that death is temporary.
The child may think something he/she did caused the death.
The child thinks that death is like sleep.
The child may view the dead person as living in a box or on a cloud in the sky.
Ages 7-10
The child begins to think of death as being permanent.
The child believes that death occurs to those who are old or very sick.
The child doesn’t think that death is something that will occur to them or family members.
The child can express thoughts and fears about death.
The child will be curious about the details of the death.
For more information:
Maine Center for Grieving Children