How to Cheer Up Terminal Children

Children facing terminal illnesses may not completely understand what is happening to them. Children generally do not understand death, nor illness. Terminally ill children may be stuck inside a hospital, hooked to machines, when they would rather be outside playing with their friends. Even though they are facing a life-threatening illness, terminally ill children are still kids and will enjoy things that other kids do. To cheer up a terminally ill child, try taking his mind off his pain, or outside the hospital.

Things You'll Need

• Coloring book
• DVD player
• Handheld video game player
• Book

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Refer the child to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The non-profit works to grant wishes to children under the age of 18 who are facing a terminal illness. Wishes can vary from meeting a favorite celebrity to visiting an amusement park.

• 2

  Bring the child a coloring book. Coloring can help a child express his creativity, while taking his mind off of his circumstances.

• 3

  Buy the child a handheld video game system or DVD player. Sick children often cannot leave their hospital beds, and a device they can entertain themselves with and escape for an hour or two can help cheer them up.

• 4

  Sit by their side and read the child a book. Getting read to can be calming, and a terminally ill child will likely just enjoy your presence and the soothing sound of your voice.