Young children’s knowledge of food allergy and transition to school

Abstract

Children’s knowledge of food allergies and their self-management is developmentally based, and is essential for their safe transition to school. Despite a growing number of children with food allergies starting school globally, to date, little is known about young children’s knowledge of food allergy or their capacity to manage it, or their feelings and perspectives about starting school. Addressing this gap, this pilot study interviewed six children—aged four-to six-years in their family homes in Sydney, Australia about their food allergy and starting school. Data from Photo Elicitation Interviews utilising photos as prompts were analysed thematically. The results of this pilot study suggest that a child’s knowledge of food allergy, their self-control to resist temptation and their ability to communicate the need for help may help them to stay safe at school, and therefore are vital in their transition to school. The implications of this pilot study for further research are discussed.

Keywords

• transition to school
• food allergy
• children’s voices
• photo elicitation interview
• early childhood