School is a very important space for your child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development—it provides structure and guidance for the future. In addition, the school environment allows for the necessary social interaction with classmates and teachers.
It is therefore important that, at the time of diagnosis, you coordinate and communicate with the school so that, together, you can define strategies for the continuation of your child’s schooling and participation, even if it has to be done remotely.
We suggest that you consult this document, where you will find information about the school measures in place to ensure that your child has the same opportunities to access education.
It is important that you take part in identifying the necessary curricular and assessment adaptations to support learning and inclusion in the school context. School teachers may also work with the hospital’s educational department.
Share with the teachers the document When a Student Has Cancer, created so that the school community has the essential information needed to better support and integrate the student who is ill.
Acreditar provides this support to you — intended for children and young people aged 5 to 18 who are either still in treatment or have already finished it. It is delivered by volunteer teachers from different subject areas and educational levels, as well as early childhood educators. It can take place online, using one of several distance learning platforms, or in person at Casa Acreditar.
In this free support provided to your child, cognitive, social, and emotional skills are developed, and reintegration into the school environment is prepared, thus ensuring the continuity of the educational process.
If your son or daughter feels the need for this support, please contact us.
Contact Acreditar and put us in touch with your child’s class teacher. We are available to visit and talk to classmates about what is happening to your child. Through educational materials (book, video, board game, puppet theatre, among others), we aim to clarify doubts or misunderstandings and reassure the group. All these materials tell the story of Maria do Mar, a 10-year-old girl who shares how she experienced the illness, from symptoms to diagnosis, through treatment and her return to school. You can find the book here and the film here.
We also have another game, Quiz4you, with more than 150 questions about paediatric oncology.
For older children, we use the game Good Question! Paediatric cancer: truths and myths to get the class to reflect on and discuss issues related to the illness.
There may be phases or moments when your child does not have the physical or psychological capacity to fully participate in school life. Informing the school about the treatment plan and maintaining close communication can help in this situation. Hospital educational teams may support your child while they are there.
As your child’s health improves and treatment allows, returning to school can be both a relief and a challenge. For many children, school is a break from hospital routines and medical procedures—a place for fun, friendships, and learning. Going back to school means returning to life as it was before the illness. However, some children, especially teenagers, may feel more anxious or afraid about this return. This may be due to temporary or permanent changes in their appearance, fear of not being able to keep up with lessons, or concerns that their time away may have affected their relationships with classmates.
As an incentive to continue their studies and to ensure that your child has the same opportunities for learning and integration, you may apply for Acreditar scholarships. These are intended for children and young people who are either in treatment or have already recovered, and who face financial difficulties in continuing their academic journey. Information about applications and the respective regulations is published annually.
In the 2024/2025 school year, 39 scholarships were awarded.
Read here this testimony about the importance of studying and Acreditar’s Scholarship.
Ao subscrever está a aceitar a Política de Privacidade da Acreditar. Damos muito valor à sua privacidade e por isso garantimos a confidencialidade dos seus dados.
