There are a variety of ways to encourage a baby or child to increase their food repertoire. Some basic areas that every parent should look at are:
- Texture-wet, dry, smooth, rough, fuzzy, sticky, mushy.
- Color
- Temperature-hot, cold, warm, frozen
- Shape-round, square, triangular, irregular.
- Flavor-sweet, salty, sour, savory, spicy.
- Food groups
Even if your child has a very small repertoire of foods many of the above items can be encouraged through play and non-food items.