An invisible chronic condition, such as migraines or chronic fatigue, can sometimes lead to a lack of understanding in the classroom. Why are you allowed to arrive at school later? Why don’t you have to take part in physical education? These are questions children may have when a classmate has different rules because of an illness. Talking about this is not always easy.
Upper grades of primary school
Backwards Forwards is a game developed for the upper grades of primary school. The pupils play in groups and experience what it is like to live with a chronic illness. Sudden fatigue, missing a physical education class because of pain, or having an operation: these are all challenges the pupils encounter in the game. The pupils finish with a group reflection, where they can discuss their experiences. Backwards Forwards gives children the opportunity to ask questions and creates greater openness about invisible chronic conditions.
Lesson plan
The game is intended to be played in the classroom and takes approximately 40 minutes. The Stichting Zorgeloos naar School foundation has also created an accompanying lesson plan. It describes step by step how the teacher organises the game in the classroom.
Presentation game
Does your child have a chronic condition and want to tell classmates more about it? The presentation game can help your child do so. Your child explains to the class in a fun and interactive way what the illness does to the body and the mental stress that comes with it. It provides an opportunity to explain why your child sometimes has different rules, arrives at school later, or sometimes does not come to school at all.
The game Backwards Forwards can be downloaded here.
Click here to order the game free of charge once.