Montessori teachers are experts at creating the prepared environment to maximize development, learning, and safety for all children. Making sure your Montessori environment is allergen free is part of that careful preparation.
Food sharing is prevalent in human society. We make special foods to share with others on special occasions. When we dine at a restaurant, we often share bites with others at our table. Food is often how we connect with one another. But what happens when a person cannot share in this important ritual? When someone refuses to eat something shared, they may be perceived as separate and no longer part of the group. If the person must continue to refuse, they are less likely to be included. Or, even worse, they may experience increased pressure to try “just a bite.” Children with food allergies are put in the position of refusing or rejecting something offered by others, including adults whose primary function is to keep the children safe.
