The Best Approaches to Talking with Children about Cancer
This post discusses the best ways to talk with children about cancer. It offers tips on how to start the conversation, what to say and how to answer questions.
Parents and caregivers know their children best. Being honest with your children is very important to their resilience, coping, understanding and learning. The following are some developmental guidelines to consider when thinking about how to share a diagnosis and treatment with children.
Early Childhood (3–6 years old)
Young children are magical thinkers and in the absence of information will fill in the blanks with their own imagination and limited knowledge. Often preschool age children will think they caused the illness. Being honest and clearing up misconceptions teaches children that you trust them and they can trust you. Children between the ages of 3-6 have very little knowledge if any of what cancer means or what it is. It’s important to define the word at least once.
The Cancer Journey for Parents
How do you tell your child that someone close to them has cancer? What do you say about treatments, or prognosis? Here are some articles that can help.
Middle Childhood (7–12 years old)
Children in this age range have often had some exposure to cancer either through a family member, they’ve seen it on a television show or online. It’s important to explain what cancer is, but also make distinctions about yours or a loved one’s specific type. Not all cancers are the same, the treatment and outcomes are different for each kind. Using books, images and hands-on experience helps this age group to create a bridge between what they know and what they don’t know.
In this interview, Larry shares how he revealed the truth of his stage 4 squamous cell cancer diagnosis to his young sons. His eldest, Jaime surprised Larry with his response. Parents naturally want to shield their children from as much as they can. But at some point, the whole story will be told.
Adolescence (13+ years old)
Teenagers most likely have some previous knowledge of cancer and its treatment. What they need is honesty and understanding. Provide information about diagnosis treatment and ways they can support you. Letting teens know that you trust and respect them will help to create a space for open and honest communication about how they are feeling and ways they can help.
Separate Truth from Myth
There is a lot of information about cancer, but is it true? Together with a friend or family member, think about who you ask to get the correct information?
Hey, Wait!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news and promotions.
newsletter
Hey, Wait!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news and promotions.
newsletter
