Children usually react to the unknown out of fear and embarrassment. Name-calling and teasing can be dealt with by simple explanations of the cleft child's condition. If this is done on an occasion when the child is away from school, the teacher will have the opportunity to explain to the class that the child is brave and courageous. Helping the class to explore how they would feel if they had to cope with frequent hospital appointments as well as several homework assignments a week could be productive.