Sensory play supports children’s cognitive development and helps them understand and make connections with the world around them. Exploring the sense of taste is also gives children opportunities to notice, compare, express, and communicate what they experience. This time, Preschool 2 children at RisingOaks | John Sweeney explored our sense of taste through a variety of foods. We used fresh spearmint, basil, apples, and unripe grapes from Educator Hope’s Garden along with cucumbers, strawberries, lemons, and bananas. We also explored simple tastes using salt, sugar, and vinegar.
First, we tasted salt, sugar, and vinegar. We took our time to notice what our tongues were telling us and shared our ideas about each taste. Then, we explored the other foods one by one. The children discovered that foods can taste sweet, sour, salty, bitter, fresh, or a combination of different flavours. The children expressed their discoveries in many creative ways. When Saylor and Amari tasted the lemon, their facial expressions immediately showed us that it was sour. When Jenesis tasted the banana, her body movements helped us understand that she thought it was sweet. Rosie happily said, “Yum. I feel good,” after tasting the cucumber. Liliana enjoyed the fresh apple and said, “It’s sweet and sour. I want more!” Isla described the spearmint by saying, “It tastes like gum!” When we tasted the unripe grape, we discovered that it had a bitter and sour taste. It was wonderful to see how confidently the children tried each food. Some children used words, while others used facial expressions, gestures, sounds, and body movements to communicate their experiences. They listened to their peers’ ideas and noticed that everyone might experience the same food in a slightly different way. 
Through this experience, we learned that there are many different tastes in our world. We also discovered that when different flavours are mixed together, they can create something new and amazing. More importantly, we practiced being brave, curious, expressive, and respectful of each other’s experiences. Just like the different tastes we explored, every child brings something special to our classroom. When we come together, share our ideas, and learn from one another, we create a beautiful and happy synergy. We will continue exploring, tasting, wondering, and growing together as our Preschool 2! 
