TABLE 3.1 General Suggestions for Age-Appropriate Communication for Dying Children
| Ages | Main concept of death | Communication approach |
| 0-2 | None | Provide maximum physical relief and comfort |
| 2-7 | Death is reversible, a temporary restriction, departure, or sleep | Minimize child's separation from parents. If parents unavailable, provide reliabe and consistent substitute. Correct misperceptions of illness as punishment for bad thoughts or actions. Evaluate for feelings of guilt, resentment. |
| 7-11/12 | Death is irreversible but capricious | Evaluate for fears of abandonment, destruction, or body mutilation. Be truthful and open. Provide details about treatment. Reassure that treatments are not punishments. Maintain access to peers. Foster child's sense of control, mastery. |
| 12+ | Death is irreversible, universal, personal, but distant | Reinforce comfortable body image, self-esteem. Allow ventilation of anger. Provide privacy. Support reasonable measures for independence. Be clear, honest, and direct. Maintain access to peers.Consider mutual support groups. |
SOURCE: Adapted from Wass, 1984. Used with permission.