Early Years: Tasting (gustatory) differences
Strategies to support children who have aversion to or seek input from certain food tastes and textures.
Identified barrier and / or need:
- A child may also seek input from foods and food textures.
- A child may have aversion to certain food tastes and textures.
Strategies and approaches:
- Staff recognise the positive impact that recognising and planning for children’s sensory differences and needs have on children’s learning and emotional well-being.
- Use visual supports to support with choices and awareness of what is for lunch, snack, dinner.
- Have a consistent mealtime routine involving opportunities for positive adult role modelling and positive support for the child.
- Offer an element of choice for example peas or carrots.
- Allow and provide opportunities for the child to explore food texture with their hands.
- Encourage positive interactions between child and adult to build confidence.
- Keep pressure to eat low, especially when trying new foods.
- Ensure that there are alternatives available at mealtimes and foods that suit a sensory preferences.
- Plan carefully how the child will access meals and snacks to reduce stress and any pressure to eat.