I recently attended the Kids with Food Allergies Family Fun Event at the Whole Foods in North Wales, Pennsylvania and I was so impressed with how responsible the kids I met there were with managing their food allergies.
This made me think about how important it is to train your little ones to manage their food allergies. As a parent, you will always play an important role, but once they go off to school and pick up extracurricular activities you won’t be with them all the time. Plus, although some allergies are outgrown, others are life-long conditions so managing food allergies will always be a part of their lives.
Teaching Toddlers and Young Children About Food Allergies:
The skills and information you give your child about their food allergies will depend on their age. Start out with the basics; providing too much information will confuse them at this age.
- You have food allergies and some foods can make you sick.
- Do not EAT, TOUCH or SMELL ANY food until it has been approved by mom or dad (or a designated family member/caregiver).
- If you don’t feel well, or even just feel funny, let a grown up know right away.
- When in doubt, spit it out!
The best way to get through to a toddler or young child is to get on their level. Teach them through activities they enjoy!
- Storybooks:
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Videos:
- Binky Goes Nuts (part of the Arthur series)
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Music:
- Kyle Dine’s educational CD, “You Must Be Nuts”
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Games:
- Food Allergy Crossword Puzzle
- Back To School Interactive Game
- Make your own food allergy education games. For example, print out pictures of safe and unsafe foods and put them on flashcards. Then you can have your child go through the cards and identify which ones are safe and unsafe. Another idea to make a variation on the game “Where’s Waldo” and play “Find The Allergen” with examples of ingredient lists.
- Presentations
Teaching Older Kids and Teenagers about Food Allergies:
For those of you with older kids and teens, below are some resources that may be helpful for you as you continue to educate them on food allergy management.
- Talking To Your Teen About Food Allergies
- Presentation on Food Allergies for Secondary School Kids
- Older kids and teens who carry their own EpiPens at school may need to carry a letter from their health care provider
- iPhone Apps: We don’t have to tell you that teens are glued to their cell phones! Apps are a way for teens to manage their food allergies in a way that’s familiar and convenient for them!
How are you teaching your little ones about their food allergies? Any tips or resources that you would recommend for other parents?
-Mallory
[Image: Flickr]
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