TRANSCRIPT:
For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.
It’s that time of year again: summer is ending, and students across the country are getting ready for their first day of school. This is an exciting time, but it can be stressful for families with children who have food allergies.
According to Food Allergy Resource & Education (FARE), one in thirteen children has food allergies—that’s about two in every U.S. classroom. The most common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.
Some students are reluctant to talk about their allergy for fear of being excluded and it’s important for educators to normalize the topic and create a safe classroom for all.
Parents, guardians, and teachers should be aware of how to recognize food allergy reactions and take steps to make classrooms safe.
For the College of Charleston, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris.