The minds of small infants are fascinating! They begin by experiencing the world extremely concretely—that is, through touch, sight, and sound—but with time, they learn to understand abstract ideas. These are concepts, such as love, justice, or time, that aren’t dependent on tangible things.

This is an explanation of how it operates:

• Early Steps: Babies pick up certain fundamental abstract concepts even at this early age. Words like “big” and “small” reflect comparisons that aren’t specifically about handling objects, while words like “happy” and “sad” represent emotions they experience.

• Building Blocks: Play is an important component. Using objects as symbols, pretend play allows youngsters to imagine things that aren’t real. This aids in the development of their abstract thinking skills by fostering the notion that anything can symbolize another thing.

• Language Power: Children are exposed to an increasing number of abstract terms as their language abilities develop. They pick up on the sound and context even if they may not first understand the complete message.

• Emotional Connection: It’s interesting to note that research indicates emotions are important! It appears that abstract ideas with emotional connotations, such as “kindness” or “scared,” are simpler for young toddlers to comprehend than only logical ideas.

In what way can you assist?

Fostering a child’s comprehension of abstract ideas can be accomplished in a variety of ways:

• Playful Activities: Games like Simon Says, dramatic play, and storytelling all promote symbolic thinking and the use of rules.

• Practical Learning: Science experiments and sorting exercises give real form to abstract concepts such as cause-and-effect and size comparison.

• Communicate: Talk about feelings, the meanings of words, and the reasons behind events in conversations. The back and forth lets kids examine these concepts even if they don’t have all the answers.

Recall that this is a gradual process. You’ll be assisting your youngster in developing into a proficient abstract thinker by giving them numerous experiences and exploration possibilities!

Concept of Death:

It can be difficult to explain death to a very young child in India. Here’s how to tackle it, keeping in mind Indian cultural values:

Adjust for their age:

For very young children (ages 2-4) make it easy. Say something like, “Grandma can’t play with us since her body isn’t working right anymore. However, she is now content and at ease, perhaps akin to a sleeping butterfly.”

Make use of well-known ideas:

 “People’s bodies can malfunction, just as leaves can fall from trees. However, their love for us endures, much like the sun shines after a rainstorm.”

Pay attention to your feelings:

Illness and missing the person are acceptable. “It’s normal to feel sad that [Name] isn’t here anymore,” you can say. We all cherished them dearly.”

Involve customs from a culture:

In India, a lot of regions have different customs for remembering the dead. Allow your kids to take part in activities that are suitable for their age, such as lighting a diya or giving flowers.

Here are a few more pointers:

1. Simply and honestly respond to their inquiries.
2. Adopt a soothing voice and a soft mannerism.
3. Soak in your child’s tears. Expressing your feelings lets them know it’s alright for you to be depressed as well.
4. Take a look at children’s books that illustrate Indian cultural views on death.

Children all grieve in unique ways. Show understanding and patience.

See a counsellor or a trusted adult if your child is having problems falling asleep or appears to be very withdrawn. You may help your child understand death in a way that is consoling and mindful of your cultural customs by being straightforward and honest with them.