Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care

Course Description: 

Written for all child care facilities and homes, this course will help you understand children’s allergies and how to manage allergies in your program. You’ll learn how to work with families to implement an allergy care plan to prevent allergen exposures and treat allergic reactions. See the course topics listed below for more information on what is covered.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care you will be able to explain the meanings of the terms, allergy and allergic reaction; identify the symptoms of both mild and severe allergic reactions in children; explain how children’s exposure to allergens triggers allergic reactions and how to avoid such exposure; and describe the appropriate response to a child’s severe allergic reaction, including the role of epinephrine.

Attention Maryland Students: This course is accepted for elective training hours.

Attention Minnesota Students: This course is not accepted by MNCPD.

Attention Nevada Students: This course is not approved for annual clock hours or to meet the Nevada requirement for training in medication administration and allergies.

Topics Covered in Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care:

• The meaning of the terms allergy and allergic reaction
• The types of foods and other substances that can trigger allergic reactions
• Common types of food allergies in children
• Symptoms of mild and severe allergic reactions
• How children might describe an allergic reaction they are experiencing
• Child care providers’ responsibilities in managing allergy symptoms
• The importance of Allergy Care Plans for children
• Components of an Allergy Care Plan
• Proper treatment of mild allergic reactions
• Steps for responding to severe allergic reactions including using epinephrine
• Ways to reduce children’s exposure to allergens
• The definition of allergy-induced asthma
• Child care providers’ responsibilities in managing children’s asthma symptoms

Prerequisites: Must be able to fluently read and write English.

Instructional methodology: Read written material, view videos, listen to audio segments.

Assessment methods: Multiple choice quiz and written assignments.

Comments on Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care:

"Your courses [Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care, A Joyful Life of Caregiving, Principles of Child Development and Learning] are exactly what I need to fulfill my annual State's requirements. Everything went wonderfully.” - Cortlandt Manor, New York

"The course [Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care] was great! It’s very important that I can do course work at home on my time :) at my own pace. I have done a few and plan to do more in the near future! Very informative and I’m still learning new things after being an early education teacher for 35 years." - Watertown, Massachusetts