A back to school program is being offered by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to help children with cancer ease back into the routine of being in a classroom. The program is also designed to educate the childs peers and answer any questions they may have about the disease.
It can be incredibly devastating when any member of the family has cancer. While the disease is relatively rare amongst children, the fact still remains that it is the leading cause of death by disease amongst their age group in the US.
The topic is already a very disheartening one amongst adults, so how do children take it? A specially trained staff from Dana-Farber makes the process flow almost effortlessly. They use puppet shows, teaching dolls, presentations, and videos to encourage conversation amongst the children, that there is nothing to be scared of when discussing cancer. The staff is able to help alleviate a childs fears about returning to school and being amongst friends again, as well as promote sensitivity and support from classmates.
As well as classroom visitation, the program offers individual counseling and family guidance, workshops for school personnel, and a School Liaison program for children who have learning difficulties as a result of cancer or treatment.
