About Our Child Life Therapeutic Play
When a parent is diagnosed with cancer children often feel lost and confused. They may think they have done something wrong and have trouble expressing how they feel. That’s where we come in. Our team of Child Life Specialists and trained Volunteer Angels deliver programs to help children understand your cancer journey and build emotional resilience.
Our Child Life focused programs help kids cope with the trauma of parental cancer by providing a sense of normalcy during an unfamiliar time. Nankind’s Program for Children takes this approach and our Volunteer Angels deliver their impact. Coping Kits guide children through the trauma of living with their parent’s cancer, teaching them how to build emotional resilience through engaging activities and play.
The Teddy Bear Clinic has left my daughter feeling much better about me having cancer because it helped her understand my illness. My son read through Nankind’s cancer book, which answered some of his questions too. I noticed they are much happier! My daughter hasn’t put her bear down either.
Nankind mom
Our free programs provide
- A way for children to express their emotions in a healthy way
- Fun and a sense of normalcy during an uncertain time
- A space for children to build lifelong social and emotional skills
- Time for parents during their cancer treatment and recovery
- Bereavement support for children when needed
- A chance for children to connect with their peers
Our Child Life Programs
Medical Play
Child Life Specialists use play to help kids understand their parent’s cancer journey.
- Teddy Bear Clinic: The Child Life Specialist explains the treatment process and answers questions the child may have in age-appropriate language using a teddy bear and pretend medical tools.
- Coping Kits: Children learn coping strategies through playful crafts and games like the Worry Monster.
Grief and Bereavement Support
In the unfortunate event of a parent’s death, our Child Life Specialists gently share the news with the child in an age-appropriate way. They involve the child in meaningful ways during the funeral preparation, and offer them emotional support through the grief and bereavement period that follows.
Parent Support
The Child Life Specialist supports the parent in sharing the news about their cancer with their kids.
Peer Support Groups
Our Peer Support Groups are based on a 6-session illness education curriculum curated by Wonders & Worries. Our groups are designed to support children navigating a parent’s cancer journey, a free activity-based peer-support program to help children build lifelong resilience.
- Nankind Clubhouse: Supports children with a parent living with cancer.
- Kind Connections: Supports children who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer.
