How does an atheist/agnostic explain to a 3yr old about death. Are there children's books? An atheist 'bible' for kids?

How does an atheist/agnostic explain to a 3yr old about death. Are there children's books? An atheist 'bible' for kids?

Asked by beth10 45 months ago Similar questions: atheist agnostic explain 3yr death children's books bible kids Society > Religion & Spirituality.

Similar questions: atheist agnostic explain 3yr death children's books bible kids.

Nature is awesome, but all living things die. And sadness at this stage in 'the cycle of life' is a wonderful testament to love. Here is a good briefly-annotated list of books about death for children.

Here is along, good index of articles on discussing/explaining death to pre-schoolers. Here is a good discussion about death on a blog called Agnostic Mom This is not an easy topic for anyone of any age, whether atheist, agnostic, or strong believer in God. I wish you all the best..

By avoiding lies, being open to discussion and helping the child cope with his or her emotions When my father died, his pastor delivered a sermon at his funeral to all my father’s friends and relatives about heaven and hell, and part of his message was that hell was a horrible place and heaven was a wonderful place and of course my dad was in heaven with Jesus and all. Except that few in the room knew, as I did, that my father was not genuinely a Christian. He went to church because my mom made him - but he never truly believed.So, there I was, listening to a man whom basically was telling me, without him knowing, that he believed my father was at that moment burning in hell.

Now, as an atheist, I don't think my father is in hell. If my father somehow had a spirit and his consciousness is still somewhere - I wouldn’t know and nobody really would know what his afterlife is like.It’s quite possible that there is no afterlife and he is feeling no pain and suffering and all that’s left of him is the memory of him by us who are still living. I’m telling that story first because I want to emphasize exactly what I think the wrong thing to say to a 3-year-old, or anybody, would be about death.

Describing heaven and hell to kids, when you don't believe in it, is outright deception. Children are dependent on adults to help them gain perspective and understanding on the harsh realities of this world, including death. To evade the subject would not be to spare a child the trauma, but instead, to cheat the child of the necessary ideas and knowledge needed to deal with trauma.

Suppose a child’s friend has died. We can start by explaining to the child that his or her friend has died. I wouldn’t avoid the actual terms like "die" or "death".

Children are able to deal with words easily but can be confused by evasive ideas and euphemisms. Explain that the friend can no longer be around to play with. Let the child ask questions.

Give straightforward answers even if they seem somewhat unpleasant. Let the child cry or express emotions. For children a little older than 3, we can even suggest that perhaps the deceased’s family are feeling really bad too and we should try to help them - or that we should try to enjoy life while it’s still there.

Sometimes we fret so much about how to explain things to kids when without realizing that they’re smarter and stronger than we think. The issue is not about how to explain ideas to them - but rather, to overcome our own anxiety that kids will somehow get ’screwed up’ if we were too open to them about taboo subjects. Children will likely experience death (friends, relatives, a family member, a pet etc. ) multiple times in their childhood and it’s important for them to improve their ability to deal with their sorrow better each time.3 years of age is not too young to start that painful but inevitable process.

Sources: Myself YellowBrickRoad's Recommendations I Miss You: A First Look At Death Amazon List Price: $6.99 Used from: $3.18 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 22 reviews) Helping Children Cope With the Loss of a Loved One: A Guide for Grownups Amazon List Price: $14.95 Used from: $4.35 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) .

Here is information about a lovely little book that I used with my grandchildren. I have only one recommendation; it is a lovely little paperback book that is totally non-religious, but explains about life and death in such a tender and sweet manner. It is written for a very small child, and could be read to a three year old.

I read it to my grandchildren when they were 5 and 4, and we knew that they were about to lose a greatgrandmother. The name of the book is Lifetimes, The beautiful way to explain death to children, written by Bryan Mellonie and Rober Ingpen. The ISBN is 0-553-34023-9.It is printed by Bantam Books /October 1983, and is available on Amazon.com.

Here is the link to the book on Amazon: amazon.com/Lifetimes-Bryan-Mellonie/dp/0... Sources: My own experience .

We all die.... but a three year old would have limited powers of understanding and cognitive skills to fully understand death. By the tone of the question you are a Christian? It is a bit condescending.

If you wish to indoctrinate your child from your religious viewpoint then go ahead! I do believe in the survival of 'us' as in consciousness as there is compelling evidence. A child can be shown how the living things around us die.It can be explained plainly that we have a limited time here on earth.

The concept of death may be difficult for a three year old but that doesn't really matter. What is important is that you answer any questions, with plain language and analogies to maker it simple or amenable to the child. I don't believe in telling children falsehoods, untruths, or parents personal skewed beliefs.

Children will make of the information what they want. The child at that age usually uses fantasy and that is how they might see death. That is OK, it doesn't really matter.

Communication and love are the most important things to a child. Sources: Study. Personnal Opinion.

We don't It's better not to try that and just let them grow up and find out for themselves, because that's what agnosticism means, not knowing things. Just say you don't know either. If you say "When you die you stop existing" you're just putting an idea that even you don't know if it's true or not and brainwashing him instead of letting him learn for himself..

Just curious. " (12 answers) "If you are an atheist or agnostic, what would it take for you to believe in God" "The person described in the Details is really neither an atheist nor an agnostic. What is a good term for this person?" "Deist, Agnostic, or Atheist?

Which one are you, and why? " "Religion & Spirituality" "Are you an ex agnostic or atheist? What made you believe in God again?

" "Why are so many people upset when someone doesn't say if they are atheist or theist or agnostic?

If you are an atheist or agnostic, what would it take for you to believe in God.

The person described in the Details is really neither an atheist nor an agnostic. What is a good term for this person?

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.