I have a child with cancer in my class/ school

Supporting a student with cancer is about finding balance — between keeping things normal and making space for what they're going through. The following tips can help you create a flexible, caring classroom environment that supports your student's learning, wellbeing, and connection with their peers, both when they're in class and when treatment keeps them away.

When a child in your class has cancer, understanding both the medical side effects and the social–emotional impact can help you respond with empathy and practical support. Treatment plans vary, but most children experience a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy, each with its own side effects.

When a student in your class has cancer, you don't need to have all the answers — but a little preparation can go a long way. The following tips offer gentle, age-appropriate ways to explain what cancer is, respond to children's questions, and help the classroom remain a safe, kind, and supportive place. Whether you're having the first conversation or checking in weeks later, these ideas can help guide you.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it is not only a traumatic time for the teacher and the class, but it impacts the whole school and  community.

It is, therefore, important that educators understand their own emotions and the nature of the illness to adequately support the child and family. Knowledge about cancer, what the school should know during and after the treatment is important to best support the family. 

Cancer begins with something almost invisible — a single cell that loses its ability to grow in an orderly way. As that cell multiplies unchecked, it can form tumours, crowd out healthy tissue, and in some cases spread to other parts of the body.