Though it may not seem important in the face of everything else going on, keeping up with schoolwork should be a priority. When your child is able, he or she should continue learning, despite school absences. Good communication and preparation will be the key to a successful re-entry to school when the time comes.

If your child is going to miss school for more than a few days, look into homebound or hospital teaching. The principal at your child's school might be able to help you get tutoring while the child has to be at home. The home-based teacher will need to know about the child's illness and treatment, medical appointments, and hospital stays.

Children's hospitals have education coordinators and teachers to help the child keep up if a long hospital stay is required -- the child is actually transferred to the hospital's school. For shorter hospital stays, especially if it is in a different school district, you may want to get materials from the child's school and see if hospital teachers can spend some time helping the child.

For many children, school is a safe place that is far from the world of cancer and treatments—a place for learning, fun, and friendship. School is the main part of almost every child’s daily life, and going back to school is a sign of normalcy. Having to go to school and learn is not only a sign that things are getting back to normal, it's also a clear and reassuring message that there is a future.

Please see Children Diagnosed with Cancer: Returning to School, for more information on this important part of your child's life.

Go back to Children Diagnosed with Cancer: Dealing with Diagnosis.

Last Medical Review: 06/02/2009
Last Revised: 06/02/2009