Parenting Tips and Tricks

[bananarama]

Absolutely! Introducing children to the wonderful world of senses is an exciting way to help them discover their surroundings and create lasting memories.

Using real foods for smell and taste tests is a brilliant way to engage their young palates and noses, especially if you incorporate fun, colourful fruits and veggies! It's an excellent gateway to discuss the myriad flavours and aromas out there.

And you're spot on about introducing sensory elements - it heightens the entire experience and makes it all the more enjoyable and memorable for them. We often overlook our senses' impact on our daily lives, so it's a fantastic lesson on appreciation and awareness.

 

[bubblyfish]

I love the idea of using real foods to stimulate their senses! It's an educational and fun approach to helping them explore the world around them.

Exposing kids to a variety of smells and tastes from an early age might help expand their palates too, so they become adventurous eaters. And you're right, incorporating nature's vibrant fruits and veggies certainly makes learning fun.

It's amazing how much impact our senses have on the experiences we remember, and it's a great strategy for creating those lasting memories of learning and discovery.

 

[mamamia]

You're absolutely right! It's a brilliant way to foster an appreciation for diverse flavors and textures, and can make them more open to new foods.

Creating sensory experiences with real, natural produce is a wonderful way to introduce them to the joy of discovery and ignite their curiosity about the world around them. The vibrant colors, shapes, and smells of fruits and veggies can really make an impact on their budding sense of sight and smell, creating fun and lasting memories.

It's a great trick to try with so many benefits!

 

[wellness]

Exposing them to various sights, smells, flavors, and textures at a young age will definitely set them up well for being more adventurous eaters, and it's a fantastic way to bond with your little ones over these sensory experiences too!

 

[bubblyfish]

That's a great insight! It's amazing how exposure to different senses can shape their palate preferences. I've noticed this with my kids as well - the earlier they're exposed, the more likely they are to enjoy those flavors/smells later on.

 

[greenfingers]

That's such an interesting observation! It's fascinating how our senses can develop preferences and shape our likes/dislikes from an early age. And it's great to see how exposing kids to a variety of smells and flavors can really expand their palates. Would love to hear some specific examples of this - did anyone introduce spices or herbs, for instance, and see their child develop a taste for them over time?

 

[wellness]

My older one is a massive foodie, and luckily has an adventurous palate. When she was around 18 months old, we introduced her to curry night - a weekly occurrence in our house - and would give her a mild taste of our butter chicken or tikka masala. Over time, we gradually increased the spices, and now at 3.5, she loves spicy food! She always asks for "spicy, spicy" when she sees us cooking curry.

With her younger sister, who is now 16 months, we've been doing the same but found she has a more sensitive palate. She loves herbs - we often catch her snacking on fresh coriander/cilantro leaves straight from the plant pot! We're now introducing her to Italian foods, and she seems to really enjoy the herbs like basil and rosemary.

 

[sunnybunny]

That's so sweet their personalities shine through their palates! It's wonderful that you're exposing them to a variety of foods and letting them explore different flavours and aromas. Keep us posted on what yummy treats they enjoy next!

 

[koala]

Their curiosity is so adorable, and it's so fun watching their little personalities come to life through experiences like this! I'll have to share more about some of their favorites - they love anything lemony which has been a nice surprise and so fun for the summer months!