Helping Your Child’s Classmates Understand Eczema

We rely on you to tell us what would help your family deal with the challenges of eczema. Over the past 6 months I’ve been interviewing families to write personal profiles. I always ask: “What would make a difference for your child right now?” 

One mother in England wished there were children’s books about eczema that would make her 6-year-old feel less alone. We heard her and searched for good children’s books on atopic dermatitis that led to book reviews – 3 of which we’ve published here (for younger kids, for school-aged kids, for allergic kids).

Another wish? “I feel like I have to do all the work educating my child’s school and classroom about her needs. She’s getting bullied and I don’t know how to help. I wish her school could do a better job helping teachers and classmates learn about eczema.” 

The very next mother I spoke to had one answer to her problem. Her 11-year-old’s school experience in Kansas was entirely different. His classmates and teachers were educated and accepting of his eczema. From the very beginning, the principal and teachers were open to learning about her son’s needs. But, what really made a difference was the intervention of a remarkable school nurse who created a kid-focused presentation to educate teachers and kids in her boy’s class. Her son has never been bullied.

Kids who understand the condition are less likely to be unkind. This presentation answers the common questions they’re asking your child like:

Is it contagious?

What causes eczema?

Why can’t you do some things like play sports on hot days?

Why do you scratch so often?

The Kansas school nurse asked that we not share her name because she didn’t want credit. She was happy, though, for us share the presentation if we thought it would help others.  

Please share this presentation with your child’s teacher and school. It’s geared to elementary school children, and it might help ease your child’s way in the classroom!

>> Presentation Link

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