Introducing the topic of cancer with young kids
Written by Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC
Author of The Dot Method©
On page 3 of The Dot Method, it prompts the child to write and draw the person who has or had cancer. This is where a child might draw themself, a sibling, a parent, or another relative or friend. But what if the child doesn’t yet know about the cancer. How do you begin? How do you incorporate The Dot Method?
Start with what they do know: When you’re getting ready to introduce the topic of cancer, start by asking about what they already know or understand. You might mention a hospitalization, medications, or symptoms. Examples: “Remember how _____ spent some time in the hospital?” or “Have you noticed that ______ takes medicine?” or “I know you’ve mentioned that ______ is tired sometimes. Do you know why that is?” Pause and give them time to reflect and answer. This will help you better understand what they already know and understand and prepare to clarify some potential misconceptions about what is going on.
Give a warning: Help them know that what is coming next is important. “Well I wanted to give you more information about what’s going on and/or why that is.”
Provide a simple explanation: Introduce the topic by building on what they already know and understand and then naming the problem with the cells. “_______ spent time in the hospital because they had symptom. They discovered that _______ has cancer cells in his body part. They aren’t supposed to be there and they’re causing problems for him. So they’re going to work on getting rid of them.”
Use The Dot Method: Once you’ve introduced the topic, you can incorporate The Dot Method as an interactive tool to further teach, explain, and process the cancer. They will then be more prepared for the term cancer written in the book and know what topic to expect throughout. “I have a special workbook that you can use to learn more about the cancer, treatment, and what to expect. We can work on it together!”
The Dot Method is written in a way that is customizable for any child’s cancer experience. That means that these tips are applicable for explaining cancer to a child who is being diagnosed, the sibling of a child who is being diagnosed, or the child of a parent who is being diagnosed. But it can be helpful to introduce the topic before opening the workbook since it does say cancer on the front and might be confusing when they’re asked WHO has or had cancer in their life.
