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Smart Strategies for Helping Kids Tackle Food Allergies in the Classroom

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If your child has had a food allergy or special diet for any length of time, it has probably become a way of life for everyone in your household. But, despite how second nature it may become for everyone at home, a whole new set of challenges can present themselves when your child enters school with his or her specialized diet. Suddenly your child’s eating restrictions can become a point of curiosity for his or her peers, leaving your child feeling self-conscious.

Help your child navigate the extra attention and questions that can come with food allergies and restrictions in the classroom with these fun and effective strategies. If your little one is feeling insecure about his or her special dietary restrictions, these ideas will take him or her from odd man out to super star in no time!

1. Have a Special Show and Tell. Check with your child’s teacher to see if he or she will allow your child to have some special show and tell time. Either come in yourself or ask a friend with special knowledge of food allergies to speak. Encourage your child to participate in the show and tell time as much as he or she wishes. During the show and tell bring different relevant items, such as an epi pen or insulin strip, to take the mystery out of the items.

2. Host a Tasting Party. Bring allergy-free goodies to your child’s class or invite classmates over to taste different allergy-free treats. The idea of gluten free bread or cookies may be mind boggling to some kids, but they will soon learn that the differences are really hard to spot! Kids will finish their new snacks knowing that your child’s lunch is not nearly as different as they once thought.

3. Be a Guest Reader. The prevalence of food allergies and medically necessary dietary restrictions means that multiple kid-friendly books are available today. Choose one that is compatible with your child’s specific situation and volunteer to be a special guest reader. You can either check a book out of your local library, or buy one and consider donating it to your child’s classroom.


Author: Coach Kim

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