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Stay Connected to Classmates During Treatment

Keeping up with friends and classmates provides a bit of normalcy for your child during treatment. It can also help make the return to school easier.

For friends and classmates, it can help them to understand what is happening with your child during their treatment. This keeps the illness and treatment less of a mystery and helps everyone be more informed.  

Many tools can make communication with friends and classmates possible. You might find that some tools work better for some settings or activities.

Tools to help your child connect with classmates

  • School or teacher websites: These websites show class announcements, activities, assignments, and test schedules.
  • Video chat: Seeing and talking to friends and family online is a fun way to stay in touch.  
  • Social media: Platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, and other outlets can help your child stay connected with friends and family.
  • Video communication platforms: Video platforms such as Skype or Zoom can be used for classroom and group activities.
  • Websites such as CaringBridge: These sites allow families to share information and updates as they choose.  
  • Monkey in My Chair: This program uses a stuffed monkey so that a patient can have a presence in the classroom when they have to miss school.  
  • Hopecam: This organization provides patients with a tablet computer and will set up Internet connections with the school and home if needed. 

Talk with your child's school about what tools are available and what might work best. Staying connected with teachers and classmates will help make the transition easier when your child is ready to return to school. 

nurse and young pediatric cancer patient taking a selfie together

When possible, children and teens should stay a part of the classroom even when they are away from school. Video chat and online platforms are some tools that can help patients keep in touch with their classmates.

Respect other people's privacy

When using video chat technology in the hospital or clinic setting, be mindful of any other patients in the area. Make sure your friends or classmates cannot see other patients while they are talking with you.

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Reviewed: February 2023

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