For Educators

Child cancer and education information for educators

A girl sitting at a desk and writing
Child doing schoolwork

Parents often feel overwhelmed after receiving their child's diagnosis. It can take them some time to consider the impact of cancer on their child's education.

A letter your school can personalise to let parents at your school know that a student has cancer. Remember to consult with your student's family beforehand.

Child in hospital bed doing schoolwork

Once your student and their family have a clear idea of what their cancer treatment will involve, it is a good idea for you or someone else at your school to talk with their parents about what schoolwork may be appropriate.

Child with teacher doing schoolwork

When your student comes back to school after cancer it can be a good sign that their life is returning to their 'new normal'.

Classroom with children raising their hand to ask a question

Children often have many questions about cancer. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.

Monkey toy in a chair

Some useful resources to help with a child's re-entry into the classroom after cancer treatment. 

Child playing in a playhouse

In hospital, young children can become used to interacting with more adults than children, and they may need more support from early childhood teachers.

siblings sitting in the grass

Brothers and sisters of cancer patients may experience feelings of guilt, rejection, fear, depression, or anxiety.

Two teenagers doing schoolwork from hospital

Having cancer often interrupts the normal developmental process a teenager goes through as they become independent from their parents and other adults.

Child doing schoolwork

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy will damage normal cells as well as cancerous ones. Some children will recover all function completely, but others may have difficulties.

doctor examining child

A list of some of the options that may be available to help you plan for and teach your student who has cancer.

two children doing schoolwork

There are many reasons why your student with cancer could have to miss school.

Child doing schoolwork

Often simple measures can help your student who has cancer get the most from their remaining life.

Image of two KidsHealth QR code posters highlighting content on cancer and education

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education information, you can share 2 QR code posters (for whānau and educators). Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to KidsHealth's content on cancer and education.