Comment by kastababy on October 23, 2008 at 10:49am

Go to the NAAF Website -- make it your best friend! They have awesome resources for how to help children deal with AA, including coloring books and videos. Let me know how it turns out!

Comment by Carol on October 23, 2008 at 11:59am

I too was going to refer you to NAAF but Yokasta beat me to it! In my opinion it would be best to speak to the entire school as once she enters grade one and starts playing with the big kids they will certainly notice and have questions of their own. Children with unanswered questions can turn into monsters! NAAF does have a video that the entire school could watch as well as a brochure called a kids pack about dealing with bullying and awareness. The kids pack even includes various sample letters and lesson plans for schools, be sure to request them! If there is a local support group you may even want to ask if someone could come to help with the presentation, they may already have experience speaking with large groups about alopecia and are already experienced in handling difficult questions. It is far better to go through school when everyone is aware and not afraid of you anymore though so high five on wanting to do this for Juliana! Another suggestion, if you find that the NAAF video is not right for you, help Juliana make her own video for the school. Show them how she still enjoys playing the things they like to play and how she feels when kids ask her about alopecia or possibly even tease her. The point of the video is to show her peers that she is normal and beautiful, she just doesn't have hair - that's all! No biggy, no problem, get on with life! Let us all know how it turns out please! :)

Comment by Renee on October 23, 2008 at 12:19pm

Thank you kastababy and Carol. I just ordered the video. Now I must set something up with the school. Thanks again

Comment by Nancy Schmelzer on October 23, 2008 at 7:16pm

Hi, I have been talking to my daughter's class since she was in kindergarten. I just recently showed them the NAAF video this year-she is in third grade. It is called why my hair falls out. I think it is a great positive video but may be something to show in second or third grade. I just told the kids some facts and then related it to some allergies they may have. I then told them how they could help be Lauren's friend-simple things if they heard kids talking-something to empower all of them. I also let them have a time for questions and answers. The kids were awesome and continue to be. I also have give Lauren the opportunity to stay or go to the library, comment or not. She has always chosen to stay and give her comments. At that time she also wore a lot of hats and we brought those in to show her friends. As they have gotten older and the disease progressed, I have given them more info. Again these kids have knocked my socks off by how understanding they have been. I hope this helps. By they way, I talk to her class once or twice a year-just to check in-with the schools permission. I would like to talk to the whole school but I don't know if I have the courage yet:) Let me know how it goes.-Nancy

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