Hello!

10 Comments

Kindergartens are leading away from food products for craft – such as pasta to make necklaces – instead choosing more sustainable, nature-based options.

Understandably EGG cartons have been banned from some kindergartens while others are offering gluten-free play dough because of allergy fears.

The Advertiser reports, several local SA kindergartens also choose not to use food products for craft – such as pasta to make necklaces – instead choosing more sustainable, nature-based options.

The Lady George Kindergarten does not allow children at the centre to play with egg cartons. Director Sally Sorrell said products were banned based on the allergies of enrolled children. “We tend to put (banned products) in our induction list,” she said.

“It includes things like don’t take boxes that have soap powder as (they) can inflame allergies or children with eczema.”

Barker Kindergarten director Bronwyn Smith said her centre provided both traditional and gluten-free play dough. She said of the alternative: “The texture is slightly different but the kids don’t mind.

“Parents are very happy that we’re open to offering things that are inclusive of all children. If there is something we can’t offer, we just make adaptations.”

Preschool Directors Association president Marilyn Clark said there was no “blanket policy” banning individual craft products.

“It is entirely up to local preschools to consider the health needs of the children they currently have attending,”

Dr Merryn Netting, dietitian and research fellow at the SA Health and Medical Research Institute told the Advertiser the increase in allergies was “a real thing”.

“A lot of people might have their children on a low-gluten diet unnecessarily but there is a real and true increase in food allergy so it is really important that we meet the needs of all of those children,” she said.

Dr Netting said while most children would outgrow an egg allergy, “there are a lot more children now, though, turning up to school” with them.  “This is why not exposing them to raw egg like in egg cartons is important,” she said, adding the incidence of immune-based conditions, like coeliac disease, was also increasing.

A couple of weeks ago we shared the news a school in the UK has banned teachers from blowing a whistle because it is “too aggressive” and might scare the children.

Share your comments below.

Image via free digital photos

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • I would never have thought about this as my children did not have such allergies.

    Reply

  • they use a straw like thing, crazy

    Reply

  • I didn’t realise there could be a reaction from touching things like egg cartons and pasta

    Reply

  • This seems to be a bit over the top. I’m the first to admit that I’m not a specialist but as far as I’m aware, a child that has allergies doesn’t’ have an issue with touching food based craft items but only if they consume it. That differs to a child who is anaphylactic and as such, I understand there are limitations to what allergens they can be around. It just seems like a major over-correction to wrap the majority of our kids up and not expose them to these simple childhood pleasures.

    Reply

  • surely this should only be relevant to classes where there is a known allergy. Allergies are something my children have and I make sure that the school was aware of it and that there is a medical plan in place if needed.

    My eldest is allergic to eggs and she never had a reaction to egg cartons and used them heaps in preschool and kinder to create things. Is it a case of things being banned simply because they touched something? Surely the pasta is only being used as a necklace couldn’t cause any issues unless it was consumed? Leaving me with the conclusion that if it is likely to be consumed by little ones then maybe it isn’t the right type of thing to be doing crafts with in the first place!

    We can’t wrap them in bubble wrap!

    Reply

  • Surely a sensible choice. Allergy to gluten can be really tricky!!

    Reply

  • It might be a bit over cautious, but wouldn’t you want hat if it was your kd with an llergy?

    Reply

  • I guess if it helps children with allergies, then it’s a necessary move.

    Reply

  • This was so unheard of when I was a child. Where do all these allergies come from????

    Reply

  • Interesting points. I never thought pasta necklaces could evoke such a discussion.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join