Abstract
Thirty-one learners aged 6–16 were selected using purposive sampling, with the aim of investigating their understanding of death.
 
 Opsomming
 Een-en-dertig leerders tussen 6 en 16 jaar is geselekteer met die doel om hulle begrip van dood te ondersoek.
 
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Highlights
Research on the development of children’s conceptions of death can trace its earliest roots to the 1930’s and 1940’s, with most cited studies in the death literature (Anthony, 1939:276; Nagy, 1948:3; Schilders & Wechsler, 1934:409)
The present paper has reviewed the findings of studies conducted outside Africa, because there is no published material from Africa that has been found on how children develop an understanding of the concept of death
The criterion related validity was examined by means of the correlation between the children’s scores and a) their IQ scores and b) their age
Summary
Research on the development of children’s conceptions of death can trace its earliest roots to the 1930’s and 1940’s, with most cited studies in the death literature (Anthony, 1939:276; Nagy, 1948:3; Schilders & Wechsler, 1934:409). Later studies emphasised components of death, including irreversibility, finality, inevitability, causality, and old age (Smilansky, 1987:23; Speece & Brent, 1984:1677). These components have mostly been related to cognitive development by integrating these into a Piagetian framework for formulating and interpreting findings. By denying children the chance to think and reflect on death, or engaging in a conversation with them, parents and social scientists might have unwittingly cut out their voices in the literature on death, especially in reputable psychological journals (Lazar, 1985:11). Different cultures tend to provide their members with a way of thinking about, and responding to death Within this context it becomes necessary to understand the status of the empirical evidence that is available regarding the concept of death. It becomes necessary to gain an understanding of the nature and source of this knowledge and its limitations
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