Question

Why is it important to take into consideration how one's cognitive develop influences their understanding of death?

Answer 1

Answer

Logically cognitive language capacities will definitely affect children understanding of death and could influence their grief experiences.

Supporting to above statement Piaget’s (1959) four stage model of cognitive development was the one and only framework to understand the development of children’s concept of health.

Cognitive development is the process of acquiring skills through the series of age related sequential stages.

Cognitive development follows logical sequential process with the children development progressing through each stage based on their age and successful completion of particular task.

First stage (Sensorimotor stage): This stage starts at birth to two years. Defined by development little abstract thought followed by sensory and motor activities.

Second stage (Preoperational stage): This stage starts at 2 to 7 years with the early language acquisition and communication development. At this stage children are unable to see the world from others point of view.

Third stage (Concrete operational stage): this stage starts at age 7 years till 12 years

At this stage thinking becomes less egocentric and much logical and develops an awareness of the effect of external events.

At the age 12, children start to think in an abstract manner, with the ability for higher-order reasoning.

Final stage (formal operational stage): It is the final stage of cognitive development continuing into adulthood.

At this stage there is increased reasoning and problem-solving ability, with the capacity to think in multiple dimensions.

Children acquire a mature understanding of death at different ages.

It's very important for parents to understand that every child of different age respond to death in an unique ways. Hence children need support and, in particular, someone who will listen to their thoughts, and reassure and encourage them to ease their fears.