Yesterday I enjoyed 15 minutes of a good time teaching a group of 4th grade kids about food allergies and what that means to them. The kids were great and the session was a success! We discussed the Be A P.A.L. program, shared stories and then sampled what Sunbutter, Fuji apple slices and chocolate chips. Our little session was three fold: What does a classmate with food allergies mean to others, how to “Be A P.A.L” and what do nut alternative protein sources taste like.
Using the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) Food Allergy Awareness Poster, we discussed what food allergens are and which foods are the most common allergens. We then paused and talked about my 10-year-old pal who is allergic to tomatoes to highlight that anyone can be allergic to anything! The poster also highlighted symptoms and we briefly talked about what their classmate may look like during a reaction and how important it is to quickly find an adult who can help.
Second, we reviewed each of the five fabulous points of FAAN’s Be A P.A.L. program (Protect A Life). This program simply sums up what we need classmates to do in five simple steps. My family has enjoyed this program for many years and it continues to be my standard and favorite. The program outlines workable and empowering steps kids can do to keep their friend or classmates with food allergies safe…
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- Never Take Food Allergies Lightly
- Don’t Share Food with Friend with Food Allergies
- Wash Hands After Eating
- Ask What Your Friends Are Allergic To and Avoid It
- If a Friend with Food Allergies becomes ill, get help immediately
Finally, we enjoyed our snack, which led us into a fabulous discussion of how I prepared the snack, including how I called the Sunbutter company to confirm no nuts were in the factory. In addition to my call to the chocolate chip factory twice–just to double-check that no peanuts or tree nuts were in that factory as well! Now, that allowed me to segue into why we don’t share food with our food allergic friends. I gave the example of a “grandma” of a classmate making chocolate chip cookies. I asked the kids that if my friend wanted to share grandma’s cookies with me and even though she did not add nuts in them, would the chocolate chips be safe? The answer: we don’t know. Does grandma know to how to call the factory?!?! So, if we don’t know then we don’t go! The kids were adorable and understood completely.
I just wanted to share my excitement of enjoying a great little education session. My daughter’s teacher did some food allergy education with the students and the school nurse pointed back to me to help with the education since I helped write our district policy, she felt I was savvy enough and allowed me to educate the kids. Otherwise, the nurse likes to take the lead. Which is a great idea since she is responsible for the food allergy safety of his/her school.
Please share any great tips or stories to share with us on how you help educate your child’s classroom regarding managing food allergies at school?
Have a great day!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Wow!! Great job!! Come to my class!!!
Caroline, I was in a conversation yesterday about nuttella, which is made with hazelnuts but almost looks like chocolate (very different looking than peanut butter.).
This person said that Skippy now markets this spread and is making a bug push. I’ve not seen these ads, but this person believed that it could be the next BIG sandwich craze, but not recognized as a nut; so, dangerous to those with allergies. You’ve probably already heard of this. It should be included when speaking of peanut butter sandwiches.
Hi Brenda..good catch! Actually, I just saw a jar today. I went to Walmart in search of Wow Butter (soynut butter) it was next to that Skippy Jar! I had never seen that and I’ve noticed the Nutella at the check stands. I think you are very right about talking to the kids about what are tree nuts. You know, I think I’ll write about this on Monday…thanks SOOOOOOO much. You are a very good mama indeed.
Hi. My spouse recently published a children`s book geared to just this situation called The Girl Who Cannot Eat Peanut Butter (avail on Amazon print and kindle) Perhaps you would like to use it in
your next classroom. Cheers !
Okay, this is rather odd, guess what I was just doing when I stopped to check my comments…pulling up that book!! I saw it on LinkedIn today! Hum…maybe I need to run out and buy some lottery tickets today?