I am so excited about the new birthday/food policy being created at my son's preschool this year! In years past they have allowed parents to bring in a nut-free treat to share with the class to celebrate their child's birthday. Last year they implemented a new policy allowing parents to only bring treats from a list of approved snacks handed out prior to each child's birthday, but of course as we food allergy parents know, there is always at least one parent who refuses to comply with these sorts of regulations. In addition to the occasional parent bringing in an unapproved snack for the classroom, there was also the issue of label reading. It is a nut-free school, but honestly, I don't expect parents without food allergic kids to fully understand and correctly read labels %100 of the time. On several occasions teachers where forced to send birthday treats back home due to allergens listed on the label that had been overlooked by parents, thus leaving the birthday boy or girl unable to share their treats with the class on what was meant to be their special day. As you can imagine, this didnt always go over very well.
This year they are currently in the process of finalizing a list of snacks that the kids will be able to prepare themselves for the class. The birthday boy or girl will choose a snack such as apple muffins or mac n' cheese from the list and then be given a seperate list of specific ingredients to bring for their cooking party. I think this is going to be so much fun! The child will have the opportunity to explain why they chose their special snack and lead the rest of the class, with their parent if they choose to particiapate, in cooking the dish. My kids love to cook with me! This is a great way to open discussions about our food and how it is prepared as well. Kids will feel special and empowered choosing and cooking their own special birthday treats. I love, love, LOVE this idea!
Other then birthdays there is a strict policy on no outside food being brought into the classrooms. Each parent donates $10 at the begaining of the school year to go towards snacks for other special occasions such as their Thanksgiving Feast and Jesus's Birthday Celebration. This way the staff can insure that only "safe" snacks for specific classroom allergies are brought in on these days.
How does your childs school handle outside food? Do they celebrate special occasions with food in the classroom? Share what works (or doesnt work so well) in your child's school in the comment section below.
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This year they are currently in the process of finalizing a list of snacks that the kids will be able to prepare themselves for the class. The birthday boy or girl will choose a snack such as apple muffins or mac n' cheese from the list and then be given a seperate list of specific ingredients to bring for their cooking party. I think this is going to be so much fun! The child will have the opportunity to explain why they chose their special snack and lead the rest of the class, with their parent if they choose to particiapate, in cooking the dish. My kids love to cook with me! This is a great way to open discussions about our food and how it is prepared as well. Kids will feel special and empowered choosing and cooking their own special birthday treats. I love, love, LOVE this idea!
Other then birthdays there is a strict policy on no outside food being brought into the classrooms. Each parent donates $10 at the begaining of the school year to go towards snacks for other special occasions such as their Thanksgiving Feast and Jesus's Birthday Celebration. This way the staff can insure that only "safe" snacks for specific classroom allergies are brought in on these days.
How does your childs school handle outside food? Do they celebrate special occasions with food in the classroom? Share what works (or doesnt work so well) in your child's school in the comment section below.
Other related posts:
Finding an Allergy Aware school
Sarah Palin can have her cake and eat it too - Just don't do it around my kid!
The Cookie Monster - Sarah Palin Strikes Again
So far, my son has a special treat kept at school for when there is a birthday celebration. He doesn't feel particularly sad about not getting the birthday treat because the special treat he has is not something he gets at home. I allowed him to pick it out and birthdays at school is the only time he has it. It's worked out well so far through preschool and kindergarten. I don't expect 1st grade to be any different.
ReplyDeleteYour preschool's idea is a very novel idea. Wow! What a teaching moment for the children (and parents).