Specialist Clinical Psychologist Müjde Yahşi gave information about the subject. Since Eid al-Adha is an abstract concept like death, divorce, earthquakes, it should be explained by taking into account the child's age and cognitive development. Not by concentrating on the slaughter of sacrificial animals, especially for children before the age of 7; It can be described as a feast where those who cannot eat meat eat meat, meat and money aid is given to the poor, and relatives are visited. For example, it can be said: “Children who are longing to eat meat thanks to Kurban Bayram are very happy to eat meat and to wear new clothes, so the rich donate meat and money to the poor. Those who help will be very happy with their happiness, and thus, it will be a holiday where both the rich and the poor, that is, everyone is happy.”
If the child is over 7 years old and the child is Hz. If it is desired to teach the meaning of Eid al-Adha by telling the story of Ibrahim and his son Ismail, this time again, it can be explained by focusing on the surrender of Hz. The aim should be: Instead of using the phrase "slaughter of a sacrificial animal" to a child under the age of 12, it should be used to describe the Eid al-Adha using the expression "giving the victim a gift to God".
Children are as curious as they are emotionally sensitive, so they can pose challenging questions to parents about sacrifice. "Doesn't it hurt when the animal is slaughtered, is it okay if we don't eat the meat of the sacrifice, isn't it a pity for them too?" To the child who comes with questions such as; “All living things on earth were created to help each other. Sacrificial animals, like fruits and vegetables, were created so that humans could eat, grow and become stronger. So when we eat them, they are very happy.” The answer given in the form can protect them from harming their spiritual development.
One of the most frequently asked questions by parents is whether watching the sacrifice by children harms the child's mental development. There are a few important points that parents should be aware of in this regard.
Parents with children under the age of 7 should never let their children watch the slaughtering process, even from afar.
Parents with children between the ages of 7 and 12 can allow their children to watch from afar if they are insistent on watching the sacrifice, but this time it should be noted that; The child should never witness negative sounds and images such as knives, blood or the growling of animals.
It is okay for all children over the age of 12 to watch the sacrifice, but it should be remembered that even if the child is older than 12 years old, some girls are more sensitive than boys, so the emotional development of the child should also be taken into account.
It should not be forgotten that children love sacrificial animals very much, they form emotional bonds with them and may feel sorry for their slaughter.
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