My daughter is four years old but she recently asked me about the death of her grandmother and I found myself stammering to explain. I would like to sit down with her and talk about death in a clearer manner because I know she will have more questions as time goes by.Rachael, Kacyiru Dear Rachael, Your situation is a very common one and quite challenging for most parents. As children approach adolescence, they become aware of the reality of death in a more personal way. This can be disturbing and even frightening for some children. There are some ways in which you can handle talking to your child about death. Start by asking your child what she is afraid of. Did she see something on TV or hear something at school that is bringing up this issue? Sometimes even a news story about death can bring up the fear of dying for a child.It is also important to talk about your spiritual beliefs. Explain them to your child and tell her what brings you comfort when you think about death. Let her know that we will all die someday and acknowledge that the unknown can be scary. Also, remind him that she is very young and most likely has very many more years to live before she dies.Since we have little control over death, it is important to help your child focus on living and the positive aspects of her life. Make a list with your child of all the things you are thankful for in life. The best thing to do is to help your child deal with her fear of death head on, in a real and genuine way. Send your parenting questions to education@newtimes.co.rw