5 Skills to Practice With Children Who Have Food Allergies | Covenant Allergy and Asthma

When children have food allergies, it can be scary to let them out of your sight. Whether they’re going to school or a playdate, you never know when a situation might pop up where they could be exposed to allergens that are harmful or even life-threatening.

One thing that can help parents have peace of mind is practicing with their kids at home so they know how to handle their allergies out in the world. Building essential skills in an age-appropriate way, starting when the allergy is first discovered, will help them learn how to stay safe when they are away from your care.

Here are some of the things you can practice with children to get them allergy-ready for the world:

Identifying their allergen. Find online resources that show different forms of your child’s allergen—i.e. whole peanuts, peanut butter, chopped nuts. Additionally, showcase different foods that commonly contain the allergen—such as candies or granola bars—so they can be aware of this, too.

Asking about ingredients. Teach children to ask outright, “Does this contain ___?” This is helpful for everyday navigation of life with food allergies but is also extremely beneficial at events where they might be offered treats, such as birthday parties or holiday events.

Ordering for themselves. Playing restaurant with your children will allow them both to practice ordering for themselves and explain their allergy to strangers and waitstaff.

Checking food labels. Help children understand what disclaimers to look for on labels. If your child cannot yet read, showcasing the disclaimer on the label can still be a helpful exercise.

Administering their auto-injector. Talk to your doctor about getting a practice auto-injector for your child to use. This way he or she is familiar with the administration motions and will be less anxious to use the device should the need arise.

If you need help identifying or coping with your child’s food allergies, Covenant Allergy and Asthma is here to provide the support you need!