For Parents/Guardians: Using this site with your kids

Dear Parents,

The HOPE Portal is a simple way to sort through the information and resources available about childhood cancer, blood diseases and other diseases and conditions. As you use the HOPE Portal with a child, keep in mind that not all children are alike. Some are very curious about what they are experiencing, while others would rather not read or think about it. Your child's age, previous experience using the Internet, reading abilities, and how they are feeling at any given time are important factors that can affect their interest in information. A little preparation can help you before you share the HOPE Portal with your child(ren).

• Prepare yourself first.
  • Look through the sites that you plan to share with or introduce to your child.
• Talk with your child(ren) about what they would like to know or have questions about.
• Talk to them about how to be safe on the Internet.
• Search the Internet with your child(ren).
• Let them know you are available to talk about what they’ve seen or read.
• It’s okay if you don’t know all the answers.
  • Be honest about what you do and don’t know.
  • Offer suggestions about how to find out the answer together.
  • Help them write their questions down.
  • Give them the chance to ask their questions to their doctor or other healthcare professional directly.

Other resources about using the Internet with children:

Arthur's Parent Guides: Welcome to the Web (English and Spanish) http://pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/resources/parentguides/web.tips.html?cat=index.en

My Rules for Online Safety http://web4j1.lane.edu/safety/rules.html