C
ancer treatments can bring delays or setbacks in children’s development. Side effects will depend on what type of cancer your child has, what treatment they are on and how they respond to it. Many families report delays in cognitive and physical growth. I noticed speech was developing much slower for my toddler with cancer than it had with my older sons. He also stopped walking independently when chemotherapy began. His physical body seemed to shrink rather than grow taller and stronger.
Set a Foundation for Learning
Emotional and physical trauma (like from battling cancer) can make it hard for a child to want to learn academically. Don’t expect things to carry on exactly as if nothing is happening because something huge is. However, cushioning the blows is possible with a lot of effort and support to help remain on the track. Fred Rogers from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood discussed six “necessities” required to be ready to learn. These include foundations such as a sense of self-worth, curiosity and daily time alone. Read more about these important foundations here to help your child grow. This is for siblings too, who may not be growing as much when so much of your energy is being poured out already. Similar to Montessori learning, this sets the stage for them to grow and you don’t have to be as hands on as you would think for them to thrive.
Get Professional Assistance
Ask about any physical, occupational or speech therapy your child may be able to receive. Doctors don’t always suggest this, but you can. I used to think my son would just re-learn these skills one day but once he started occupational and physical therapy, he made much faster progress. They can show you the cayse of the delays and tell you what to do to help those specific weaknesses. No need to work on these items just once a week either. See if you can get similar resources to use at home to keep practicing what was learned throughout the week.
Set Aside Time to Build Skills
Language was something we worked on everyday. Learning sign language was actually a huge help with building vocabulary for us. We then knew when he wanted water or was hungry, which was absolutely critical for a cancer patient. It doesn’t just teach hand signs either. By teaching sign language, we also slowed down and intentionally taught verbal language at the same time. My son used verbal words and sign at the same time after we started this.
The Treeschool Preschool and Kid Songs You Tube channel is amazing for teaching a variety of sign words from foods (we loved using this one) to scientific concepts like photosynthesis and they do it all through song! Kids get to watch other kids sign and they will love watching it over and over again until they learn it. I preferred Tree school to other signing videos because the repetition, music and images helps with learning and the videos were grouped into useful topics like foods, feelings and health. For older kids or teens looking for helpful phrases, Signed with Heart has great lessons on Instagram.
Final Takeaway
Whatever you notice is helping your children grow, try to make a habit of doing it at the same time every day or every week to really see them progress. Even during a very difficult time, your children can still grow developmentally and emotionally by setting the stage for success and then following through regularly. What helped delays during treatment for you? Share a comment or join in the daily conversations in our Cancer Kids Resources group
