Hot, Cold, Sweet, and Sour
Here's What To Do
1
Try a tasting experiment with me!
2
First, give me something that's warm, and something that's cold. Encourage me to put these in my mouth and feel the different temperatures. Examples:
- A piece of fruit or vegetable straight from the fridge, and a piece that's been warmed for a few seconds in the microwave or on the stove
- A washcloth wet with cold water, a washcloth wet with warm water
3
Next, give me one food that's sweet and one that's sour. Encourage me to taste them.
- Sweet examples: fruit, applesauce, baby food
- Sour examples: lemon, lime, grapefruit
4
If I'm having fun with this tasting game, help me taste condiments with different spices. Examples:
- Ketchup, mustard, mild salsa or hot sauce, soy sauce, or whatever's in your fridge!
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit me in my high chair and remove distractions.
E
Engage:
- "Let's try something sweet. Mmm this peach is so sweet! Now let's try this sour lime!"
- "This green bean is cold, it was in the fridge. This green bean is warm, I heated it up in the microwave."
E
Encourage:
- Describe my reactions to the different experiments. Like: "Oh that lemon is so sour! You didn't like that, did you?"
- Emphasize the descriptive words with facial expressions and gestures. (For example: shiver when you say "cold," pucker your face when you say "sour.")
R
Reflect:
- Which foods did I have the strongest reactions to? Which do I seem to like, and which do I seem to not like?
Not quite ready?
Have a "smell party" with me- let me smell various spices and condiments and notice how I react.
Ready for more?
Continue introducing me to new foods and new tastes. Help me learn words that match tastes (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, hot, cold, etc.).
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to taste differences between different types of foods, and show their preferences for different tastes.