A 5-year-old boy in Kentucky shot and killed his 2-year-old sister earlier this week. The family apparently left the loaded rifle in a corner of the house. The parents report they didn't know the gun was loaded. What a horrific tragedy.
It's amazing that a 5-year-old knows enough about a gun and what to do with it that he shoots his sister. Yet, at age 5, kids don't have a real concept of death. They're used to watching cartoon characters die and come back to life. The idea that death is permanent just doesn't make sense to them.
This story is such a great reminder that by age 5, many kids want us to think they are miniature adults. However, they're just not ready for any sort of real responsibility as their brains are not developed enough to make healthy decisions. They don't share the same sense of logic as adults.
It's important to keep a constant, watchful eye on kids. Although accidents can happen to even the best of parents, it's important to prevent them whenever you can. Learn more about discipline strategies for 5 year olds.