Siblings at School – Siblings of a Child With Cancer

This booklet addresses teachers who have a child with a brother or sister with cancer in their class. When a child gets cancer, it affects the whole family. For the child, parents/carers, and siblings, cancer becomes part of their daily lives. Siblings have a special bond. They grow up together and learn a lot from each other. Their interaction with each other plays a big role in developing social-emotional skills. Cancer in one of the children changes a lot in the family. There are worries and a lot of attention goes to the sick child. As a result, brothers and sisters take on different positions and roles. For siblings, school is a familiar environment that offers structure and safety. It is important for them that school continues as normal as possible. This leaflet will help you understand siblings, identify problems, and help and guide them so that they can continue to develop to their full potential in a safe environment.