Classroom Activity

[Mizzo]

My celiac disease's 2nd grade teacher is having the kids stir and mix a gingerbread cookie recipe in the classroom. I asked for my girl to be removed and I will provide an alternative finished cookie for her to decorate the next day when they decorate theirs.

The teacher is trying to keep her in the class during this activity so she does not feel left out. I already said I didn't think it was good environment for her to be in. The teacher is trying to be considerate and nice and include my girl, She even printed me a recipe for gluten free gingerbread mix and asked me to supply the flour for it.

Has anyone had their child in a classroom where they were exposed to GLuten foods being mixed and stirred and NOT had problems?

Because I can't imagine how this will work! I am not going in to sterilize the room afterwards so what are my options?

[RideAllWays]

Wheat flour flying around can't be a good thing, in my opinion...It would be a good idea to have you supply her with a cookie for the next day, and even then make sure she is careful what she touches, it's likely the flour from the day before will still linger even if it's been tidied up.

[dilettantesteph]

Unless you child doesn't react to much of anything, it will be a problem. Can you use regular flour in your kitchen with your child present? My child would rather not fit in than get sick. A child can't fit in much when he is sick anyway.

[SilverSlipper]

I have visions of (not sugarplums) but chaos dancing in my head...Really, a classroom of second graders mixing things? I predict a food fight. lol Although I'm not sure if there is only one bowl of batter - if so, I probably wouldn't be too worried, but if each child has their own thing to mix, that's too much for my comfort zone.

I'd explain that flour is too light of a substance to be that close to your child and the concern that it will float around (for lack of a better word). Would it be possible for the class to do this project in the lunchroom? There would be enough space (not to mention easier clean up) so that she could be in the same 'area'.

[CeliacMom2008]

I try to go with the flow and not rock the boat, but this would make me REALLY uncomfortable. At that age I would think flour is going to be everywhere. If it were me I would not have my child in the classroom again until after the room had been thoroughly cleaned and all tables wiped down. I think airborn flour would be an issue. Kids are going to make a mess. The holidays are the WORST time to be sick. Not like there's ever a good time to be glutened, but it's Christmas!

Are you in a financial situation where you could provide gluten-free flour for the entire class project? I know it's not fair, but it is a solution.

Could they do the activity at the end of the day and then you pick her up early that day? Could they also decorate at the end of the next day and again you take her out early? To avoid teh feeling left out maybe she could have a special Christmas shopping trip or go home and make something gluten-free and amazing!

2nd grade is just too young to put her in that situation. My son is in 6th grade and I don't think he would've been ready for that sort of thing until last year or maybe even not until this year. I know he would still be incredibly uncomfortable. It's one thing to have gluten treats in the classroom, it's another to have flour and sticky gooey dough being mixed by 7 year olds.