Question

Owen recently lost his dog Marley. He understands that all living things die and Marley cannot come alive again. However, he does not quite comprehend yet that Marley being dead means that she also cannot do what living things can. Owen grasps which components of death as a concept for children?

Answer 1

Owen grasps the concept of the irreversibility of death but has not yet understood the component of biological nonfunctionality, meaning the cessation of all functions that are necessary for a living organism to live.

Step-by-step explanation:

Owen, who has recently lost his dog Marley, understands that death is irreversible and that Marley cannot come back to life. However, Owen does not fully grasp that a dead being can no longer do what living things can do—such as move, breathe, grow, or play. This indicates that Owen grasps the irreversibility of death but not the biological nonfunctionality aspect. Understanding death is a complex process and varies significantly with age, emotional development, and individual experiences. It's important to address such concepts gently and to help children like Owen understand death and grieving in a way that is appropriate for their developmental stage.