Five-year old Stella attends one of two kindergarten classes at the local elementary school. Her twin sister Scarlet is in the classroom next door. Her family identifies as Taiwainese and is of Chinese heritage. While English is spoken at home, Stella’s parents both speak Chinese Mandarin, especially with the twins’ grandparents. Stella is learning Chinese Mandarin in an afterschool program. Stella’s parents have welcomed opportunities to share information about the customs and foods of Taiwan that are ways that they connect with their traditions.
At school, Stella appears shy and rarely contributes in either small or large group activities. On the playground, she seeks her sister as the kindergarten classes have outdoor play at the same time. Stella’s favorite activities are art and music, and she becomes animated during activities with music and movement. She has a great fondness for the color red.
Because Stella’s teacher, Helen, often uses cooking as a vehicle for helping the children explore new tastes, cultures, and vocabulary, she sent home a sheet to each family to learn about any food allergies. Stella’s family indicated that she had no allergies.
Recently Helen decided to make cashew butter from scratch with the children. After adding the cashews, oil, and salt to the food processor, each child got to take a turn pushing the “on” button and watching the nuts become a paste. Then everyone got to taste the cashew butter on a cracker. Stella ate her cashew butter apple slice and immediately showed signs of a significant allergic reaction: runny nose, redness and swelling, and shortness of breath.
As an early childhood educator, what does Helen need to know about how to respond to a significant food reaction? What should she have done next? What follow up with the Cheng’s would be important? If Helen were an educator in North Carolina, where could she find good information about dealing with allergic reactions?
After answering the DB part you need to reply to two other people Agree or disagree and why.
