Taste buddies
Activity sheet
The sense of taste begins to develop even before a baby is born, thanks to a whole variety of taste experiences
inside their mommy’s tummy. So by the time a baby joins the world, they’ll already have a good idea of what
they like and, as you’ll discover, what they don’t! For example, they will often prefer sweet tastes,
like breast milk or formula, over sour foods that can sometimes be a shock to the senses!
Once little ones are ready to start trying different foods, it’s important to encourage them to experience a wide
All of the Ella’s Explorers Feed Our Senses taste activities have been created and designed to help babies and
toddlers engage with their sense of taste using their lips, mouth and tongue. This helps develop their hand-eye
coordination as well as their language development while exploring new taste sensations. Encourage the introduction
of as many new and different tastes as possible, some they may not immediately like and others they will just love!
new foods.
Refer to information given by the US Department of Health and Human Services for more information on the weaning
Personal, social and
emotional development
Continue to be interested, excited and motivated to learn.
Knowledge and
understanding
of the world
Investigate objects and materials using all of their senses as appropriate.
Find out about, and identify, some features of living things and objects
they observe.
Find out about their environment.
Physical development
Show awareness of space, of themselves and of others.
Handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely, and with
increasing control.
Creative development
Respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel.
Explore color, texture, shape, form and space in two and three dimensions.
Maintain attention, concentrate and sit quietly when appropriate.
- Think safe! -
Never leave little ones on their own with small objects or food.
All activities are to be carried out with a grown up in charge.
Check with parents and in records for any existing allergies.
To make sure your nursery gets the most out of Ella’s Explorers, please
conduct a legally compliant risk assessment before starting this activity.
Let’s play!
Taste buddies
Spooning around
in the nursery environment, therefore it’s
® vital they become accustomed to the feel of it in their mouth. Thisby will
help avoid gagging or spoon refusal as the
weaning process begins. It’s a good idea to try offering the spoon to the babies aside from mealtimes, to help them
become comfortable with it. Soft rubber spoons are recommended, as they’re safe and gentle for babies’ mouths.
Encourage the babies through play-based activities to put the spoon in their mouth and use their lips
® and
tongue to explore it. Babies can also make sounds with the spoon and feel the vibrations.
Touching tasty treats
A great way of encouraging babies to accept new tastes is to provide a selection of different foods that they can touch,
For babies eating purees or mashed foods – sit baby in their high chair and put a blob of puree or mashed food onto
® their
tray. You could start with just one and then add a few different types of puree in stages. It only needs to be
a small amount, as this is all about experiencing taste rather than eating!
Babies and toddlers learn from mimicking those around them, so
in one of the purees and then licking it off. Yum! Allow the babies to touch and play with the purees and see if they
mixture of tastes!
If this sounds a little too messy, you might like to try the same activity using baby spoons. Put a blob of puree on
2 or 3 spoons, then place them on the high chair tray and encourage the baby to pick up the spoon to taste.
® Toddlers who are taking minced or chopped meals could be provided with a selection of different items to taste and
beans, cooked and cooled sweet potato, cooled toast sticks, banana and cheese chunks. All very healthy.
in charge of their mealtimes!
they’ll love being
Mirror me
Babies and toddlers are fascinated by mirrors and love to look at their faces and expressions, so why not try
® this
when eating? Place a mirror a safe distance away from your baby or toddler when they’re eating, so they
can see themselves. Join in the fun by trying a piece of food and pulling a face afterwards to make them laugh.
See if they do the same when they try their food!
® Encourage babies to lick the spoon as they eat and see what that looks like in the mirror. Toddlers
while watching themselves in the mirror.
Let’s eat!
Having explored their sense of taste, continue their adventure and engage this sense
each time they interact with food.
Eating occasions:
diaries – it may be common practice for you to keep a food diary for babies and
® Food
toddlers in your care. Make sure you record all the new tastes they are trying, and
their reactions to them, to share with moms and dads. Encourage parents to carry on
with some of these fun activities at home.
Copyright © Ella’s Kitchen Inc, 2012. All rights reserved.