A clinical social worker at NC State's vet college suggests using falling leaves or bugs that die. This helps young children see that all living things die and do not come back.
NC State University College of Veterinary MedicineHow do I tell the kids?
What people do around the world
Say "died," not "went to sleep"
PDSA: a child may wait for them to wake up
PDSADon't say they ran away or went to a farm
UCLA Health: it confuses young children
UCLA HealthIf you can, let your child say goodbye first
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryScatter ashes, make a collage or plant a tree together
AAP: suggest gently and follow their wishes
American Academy of PediatricsLet your child write or draw for them
NC State vet college
NC State University College of Veterinary MedicineYou don't need to hide your own grief
UCLA Health: kids learn these feelings are normal
UCLA Health「My old dog got worse for days and was put to sleep today, so how do I tell my daughter tomorrow?」
Oct 2026
Updated 29 Oct 2026.