Sending a child to school knowing they are vulnerable to dangers like allergic reactions can be nerve-racking, especially with young children that may not be completely capable of regulating what they’re eating and touching. If you’re the parent of a young child with sensitivities to food or anything else, there are several things you can do to not only keep your child safe at school but also to rest easy when you leave.
Do Your Research
As a parent, you know the ins and out of your child’s allergies, and that’s the first step to keeping your child safe at preschool. If it’s a new allergy, research it and know which activities and foods are a danger to them. For example, if your child has a dairy allergy, it’s helpful to compile a list of common foods and snacks to be warry of for teachers and caregivers. Particularly with childcare, research can be helpful. Looking at a childcare program’s policies and accommodations for children with allergies can help you better inform your child of what to do while at school.
Inform Childcare Staff and Teachers
When sending your preschooler to school with allergies, informing leadership staff and teachers is the most important step you can take. Know which teachers oversee your child most in their day, and make sure they’re aware of your child’s food allergies. Creating a relationship with your child’s teachers will help them to better remember their sensitivities.
Have an Emergency Plan
It can be anxiety-inducing considering what might happen if your child experiences an allergic reaction, but you and your child’s teachers will be all the more prepared after creating an emergency plan. A useful form that can be given to teachers and caregivers can be found in our parent handbook. Give this document to teachers along with any medication needed to treat your child’s condition in the case of a reaction. This can include epinephrine, an inhaler, or anything else suggested by your child’s pediatrician. Be sure your preschool teachers know how to use this medicine and what to expect after. The document includes symptoms to be aware of, suggested treatment with medicine type and correct dosage, and any general medical information that is helpful to childcare staff and emergency responders. Being on the same page as caregivers is the best way to ensure safety at school.
Start Meal Planning for Children with Food Allergies
This point can be essential for children that are too young to self-regulate. If eating school-provided lunches seems too great of a risk for you and for your child, you can always try packing their lunches. Even better, get your children involved in cooking and educate them on what makes the food they pack for lunch safe to eat and what foods could be harmful.
A few preventative measures can become the difference between a safe environment and a potentially harmful one. The best thing you can do for your child with allergies is to be proactive and informative until they are old enough to self-manage and problem solve on their own. Now, take a deep breath, trust your child’s preschool teachers, yourself, and, most importantly, trust your child.