Back in the Classroom Promoting Allergy Awareness Week

The past week has flown by as I've been busy helping to promote the 2013 FARE Boise Food Allergy Walk.  I have had a great experience speaking with allergy~friendly companies, both locally and nationally.  I can't wait to share more about the wonderful donors who are participating in sponsoring Saturday's walk.

However, I had a chance today to do what I love must.  Be in the classroom with kids!  I am a huge proponent of beginning to educate our kids at the preschool level.  Starting early just breeds acceptance, tolerance and knowledge from the get go.

This group of 1st graders was awesome!  We discussed what it meant to be a P.A.L. in the everyday, friendship way.  Then we reviewed what it meant to be a P.A.L. in the allergy sense... reviewing the 5 points of how we can help to Protect A Life of friends with food allergies. 

• Take allergies seriously and no teasing
• Don't share food
• Wash your hands regularly
• Help your friends avoid foods they shouldn't eat
• Get an adult immediately, if needed

We then read a new book for this group, OK 4 ME 2 EAT by Leslie Berlin.  An adorable story about 8 year old Sam and his positive attitude on managing food allergies.

We read the Bugabees by Amy Recob in the fall, so this time I handed out the Bugabees Word Search for them to take home and share with their family and friends.

We wrapped it up with some allergy~friendly Otter Pops and an end of the day recess outside. 

My kind of 'Allergy Awareness' day!