Educación en torno a la enfermedad infantil

Abstract

The assumption that children illnesses may constitute a relevant experience from an educational point of view - for the children themselves, for the children around them and the adults looking after them - is a frequently stated one, and therefore it is also a specific object of enquiry and research in pedagogy, as it is considered one of the numerous and diverse educational opportunities that people encounter throughout their lives.

Nevertheless, it seems that little investigation has been devoted to the specific educational meanings that these illnesses entail, as well as to the circumstances in which the occasions for educational growth are created, both in the places where ill children live and in the places where their siblings live, since researches have shown that brothers and sisters often feel profound suffering, loneliness and isolation too.

This paper aims at investigating - through the analysis of existing literature as well as some experiences and research - some of the issues and themes that the many contexts (hospital, family, school) where directly or indirectly children experience their illness have in common. Namely,

1. the image or representation of the child by the adults;

2. communication between children and adults about the illness itself;

3. the potential of an educational alliance among adults facing children illnesses.