CFAAR Food Allergy Education Resources
Introduction
The Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research (CFAAR) aims to find answers and shape policies surrounding food allergy, asthma and other allergic conditions.
This guide contains all the CFAAR resources from early childhood through college in one location in hopes of increasing food allergy education and awareness.
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Early Childhood
These resources are for adults who live and/or work with Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers in a home or program setting.
Early Childhood Professionals–
Our resources aim to support the child and the adults who care for the child at home or in a work setting. We want children to: STOP before they eat. LOOK at their food.
ASK an adult if it’s OK GO if an adult says so.
Access the free STOP. LOOK. ASK GO Training HERE!
Children under 6 years old depend on adults to keep them safe and to be food allergy aware, prepared, and ready!
Scan to Access the Early Childhood Resources!
Early Childhood Resources
Checklists, trainings, & guides
The focus of these resources is to help early childhood (EC) professionals understand food allergy and offer them materials they can share with parents and a fun song to sing with the children!
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW
Use this overview to understand all the different resources available to support your work caring for children with food allergies.
STOP. LOOK. ASK. GO. TRAINING
Take this free online training available for professional development. The teacher videos contained in the training are also available for your use in English and Spanish
STOP. LOOK. ASK. GO. SONG FOR CHILDREN
Watch and sing this song when snacks or meals are being served. To reinforce this simple message, use hand signals to cue pre-verbal children and help keep them safe around food
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONAL CHECKLIST
Print this checklist to guide conversation with families when a child has a known food allergy
For Parents Early Childhood Resources
Be a positive food allergy role model. Familiarize yourself with these resources and share them with your child’s early childhood center, program or school – they might not know about it!
PARENT-TO-PARENT VIDEO
Watch and share this 2 minute parent-to-parent video (in English and Spanish) and the STOP. LOOK. ASK. GO song before playdates, family gatherings, birthday parties, etc.
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS TIP SHEETS
Share these tip sheets with your parents and families. They were created in collaboration with the Illinois Early Learning Project and are available in 7 languages: English, Spanish, French, Polish, Korean, Chinese, Arabic
FAMILY RESOURCES
What should your family discuss about food allergies? Use this workbook. Unsure what to carry in your purse or diaper bag? Use this health passport. Time for ‘Back to School?’ Use this checklist for all ages
Want to master reading a food label? Click here
PODCAST: FOOD ALLERGIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Listen to this 20 min interview hosted by the Illinois Early Learning Project where CFAAR's Dr. Ruchi Gupta and Sarah Valaika share an overview of managing food allergies with young children.
CFAAR FOOD ALLERGY EDUCATION RESOURCES
Elementary School Resources
These resources are for adults to educate children of elementary school age and ability about food allergies.
Elementary School Professionals – Support all your students by educating on this important topic through lesson plans, teacher’s guides, conversation guides, presentations, video resources and fun activities, like crosswords, word searches!
Young children rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
Scan for worksheets, materials, and activities!
Elementary School Resources
Checklists, trainings, & guides
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Young children rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER OVERVIEW
Help students learn to articulate the importance of food allergy awareness as they explore cross-contact scenarios and discuss ways to support classmates Access the overview, teacher’s guide, & guided worksheet here
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Review these definitions and frequently used terms to navigate food allergy. View the full glossary here.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Use this slide deck to teach students about food allergies. View the presentation here and the presentation with notes here
STUDENT ACTIVITY WORKSHEETS
Can you be an Allergist? Word Search , Answer Sheet Let’s Review! Crossword, Answer Sheet Want to master reading a food label? Click here.
Elementary School Resources
Checklists, trainings, & guides
VIDEO RESOURCES
Younger Kids Talk: Food Allergy
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Young children rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
Food Allergy Bullying: It's Not a Joke PSA
Middle School Resources
These resources are for adults to educate children of middle school age and ability about food allergies.
Middle School Professionals –Support all your students by educating on this important topic through lesson plans, teacher’s guides, conversation guides, presentations, video resources and fun activities, like crosswords, word searches!
Students rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
Scan for worksheets, materials, and activities!
Middle School Resources
Checklists, trainings, & guides
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Young children rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER OVERVIEW
Help students learn mild and severe symptoms and how to respond if they witness someone having an allergic reaction. View overview, teacher’s guide, pre-test, & guided worksheet here.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Review these definitions and frequently used terms to navigate food allergy. View the full glossary here.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Use this slide deck to teach students about food allergies. View the presentation here and the presentation with notes here
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT
Have students create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about the seriousness of food allergies Find assignment here
Middle School Resources
Extra resources
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Young children rely on adults to educate them on this topic in order to keep them safe.
VIDEO RESOURCES
Kids Talk: Food Allergy
Food Allergy Bullying: It's Not a Joke PSA
STUDENT ACTIVITY WORKSHEETS
Can you be an Allergist? Word Search, Answer Sheet Let’s Review! Crossword, Answer Sheet
TIPS FOR AVOIDING ALLERGENS
Print this resource if you still have questions about ingredients on food labels
High School Resources
These resources are for adults to educate children of high school age and ability about food allergies.
High School Professionals –Support all your students through lesson plans, teacher’s guides, conversation guides, presentations, video resources and fun activities, like crosswords, word searches!
High school students need to be empowered to spread food allergy awareness!
Scan for worksheets, materials, and activities!
High School Resources
Checklists, trainings, & guides
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Empower High School students to spread food allergy awareness.
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OVERVIEW
Help students learn about epinephrine administration, the emotional impact, and everyday challenges of living with food allergies. View overview, teacher’s guide, pre-test, & guided worksheet here.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Review these definitions and frequently used terms to navigate food allergy. View the full glossary here.
HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION
Use this slide deck to teach students about food allergies. View the presentation here and the presentation with notes here
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT
Ask students to evaluate food allergy dining and meal options and reflect on the experience. Assignment found here.
High School Resources
Checklists,
trainings, & guides
VIDEO RESOURCES
The focus of these resources is to help teachers understand food allergy and offer them materials they can use TODAY in the classroom. Empower High School students to spread food allergy awareness.
High School Students Talk: Food Allergy Food Allergy Bullying: It's Not a Joke PSA
TIPS FOR AVOIDING ALLERGENS
Print this resource if you still have questions about ingredients on food labels
College Resources
These resources are for college students navigating and managing their dietary needs in a new environment.
College Students – Navigating the transition from high school to college is a crucial period that brings newfound independence and responsibility. These resources intend to empower students with dietary restrictions and equip new friends with the knowledge and tools they need to offer support and effectively respond in an emergency.
College students need to manage their food allergy with greater independence and confidence!
Scan for college resources!
College Resources
Checklists,
trainings, & guides
COLLEGE OVERVIEW
The focus of these resources is to empower college students to manage food allergies with greater independence and confidence.
Prepare for your transition to college. Access the overview here.
FOOD ALLERGY TOOLKITS
Use this "Food Allergy and Special Diets Toolkit“, to help you navigate the transition from high school to college.
Customize this Food Allergy and Special Diets Toolkit template for your school.
VIDEO RESOURCES
College Video: Northwestern College Video
GET INVOLVED: START A CLUB
Use this CAFAE Club Flyer to start a chapter on your campus!
Stay In Touch!
Contact us at cfaar@northwestern.edu to request: Epinephrine auto-injector trainers for student practice
Send in pictures/feedback on activities you found to be most successful
Request a visit from CFAAR’s Sai Sai The Allergy Guy to answer your school’s questions! Follow us @cfaarnu
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RuchiGupta, MD,MPH
SaiNimmagadda, MD FoundingDirector CenterforFoodAllergy& AsthmaResearch ChiefAllergist CenterforFoodAllergy& AsthmaResearch
SamanthaSansweet, MPH SarahValaika, MS DirectorofEducation&Student Programs EarlyChildhoodEducator
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