Sense of taste

AREA SETUP

Print a variety of posters and use them to decorate the walls of your daycare. (Open thematic poster-Sense of taste)

Educa-theme-Sense of taste

(Open educa-theme-Sense of taste) Print and laminate the different elements representing the theme. Use them to present the theme to your group (and their parents) while decorating your daycare.

Educa-decorate-Sense of taste

(Open educa-decorate-Sense of taste) Print, laminate, and cut out the illustrations. Use them to decorate your walls and set the mood for the theme.

Who do these mouths belong to?

This game represents a fun way to introduce your theme to the parents of the children in your group. Photograph each child, but only his mouth. Print the pictures and use them to create a poster. Have children decorate their poster as they wish. Write Who do these mouths belong to? at the top of your poster. Hang it near your daycare entrance so parents can play along. Will they recognize their child’s mouth?

Taste wall

Hang a banner on a wall and glue several Ziploc bags containing various things we can taste (cherry, lemon slice, pickle, marshmallow, etc.) on it. Invite children to draw a heart next to the foods they like and an “X” next to the foods they aren’t very fond of.

5 senses mobile

Create a special 5 senses mobile and hang it above your changing table. You can use different lengths of string to hang a small bell, a hand outline cut out of felt, a plastic nose, and other colourful items that children are sure to be attracted to.

CIRCLE TIME

Animated discussion-Sense of taste

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Use them to spark a conversation with your group. Ask children questions about their mouth and sense of taste.

Point to or name the flashcard

(Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print, laminate, and display the word flashcards on a wall, close to your circle time area or on a large cardboard that can easily be moved around. Children take turns identifying a word.

Poni discovers and presents-Sense of taste

(Open Poni discovers and presents-Sense of taste) Print the cards. Laminate and cut them out. Use your Poni puppet (or another puppet children are familiar with) to present them to your group.

Flipogram-Sense of taste

(Open picture game-Sense of taste) Print and laminate the pictures in the format you prefer. Use a hole-punch to make a hole in the upper right and left corner of each picture. Stack the pictures and insert a ring through each set of holes. The flipogram is easy to manipulate. Simply show children how they can lift a picture and flip it under the stack. Name each item with your group. Use the flipogram to encourage children to talk during circle time and to ask them questions about the theme.

Associating tastes

You will need a container filled with different food items children can taste. Use it to spark a discussion with your group. Show children the different types of foods and name each one. Ask children questions, encourage them to taste each one, and integrate them in a variety of games.

PICTURE GAME

The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with the group.  Use them to decorate the daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Sense of taste) Print, laminate, and store in a “Ziploc” bag or in your thematic bins.

Memory game

(Open picture game-Sense of taste) Print the pictures twice and use them for a memory game.

ACTIVITY SHEETS

(Open activity sheets-Sense of taste) Print and follow instructions.

Ways to use your activity sheets

Stick two crayons together, end to end. Have children complete part of an activity sheet with one end, rotate the crayon, and use the other color to complete the second portion of the activity sheet.

Different positions

Stick activity sheets on walls, on the floor, or under tables. Ask children to stand, sit, or lie down to complete the activities.

Writing activities

(Open writing activities-T like taste) Print for each child or laminate for use with a dry-erase marker.

Creating your own activity binder

Laminate several activity sheets and writing activities and arrange them in a binder along with dry-erase markers. Leave the binder in your writing area and let children complete the pages as they wish. At the end of the day, simply wipe off their work so the activity binder can be reused.

Educa-nuudles-Sense of taste

(Open educa-nuudles-Sense of taste) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don’t have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers. To order Magic Nuudles.

LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

The flashcards may be used during circle time to spark a conversation with the group or in your reading and writing area. They may also be used to identify your thematic bins. (Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) mouth, tongue, lips, flavor, sweet, salty, bitter, tart, taste buds, to cook, food, to taste

Let’s chat

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Have each child pick a word and present it to the group (ex. taste buds). Ask them questions to see what they know about the theme.

Reinvented scrabble

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print many copies of the word flashcards and encourage children to use scrabble tiles to write the words. Manipulating the small tiles represents a great fine motor skill exercise. At the same time, children will notice which letters make up the different words.

Word association-Sense of taste

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print two copies of several different word flashcards. On a large piece of cardboard, stick one copy of each flashcard vertically to create a word column. Cut the second copy of each word flashcard so you have the word on one side and the illustration on the other side. Attach Velcro behind each part as well as to the right of the uncut flashcards (on the cardboard). Arrange the cut flashcards on the table and encourage children to look at your flashcard board to identify a matching word and illustration. When they succeed, they may stick them next to the corresponding flashcard, on your board. This exercise will help children associate words with pictures.

Word clothesline

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print two copies of several word flashcards. Hang one copy of each word on an indoor clothesline with colourful clothespins. Arrange the copies in a pile on a table. Let children take turns picking a word and finding the matching word on the clothesline. When they find a match, they can place the flashcard on top of the one that was already hanging on the clothesline. Help younger children manipulate the clothespins if necessary.

Word race

(Open word flashcards-Sense of taste) (Open giant word flashcards-Sense of taste) Print several word flashcards and hide them throughout your daycare or yard. Divide your group into two teams. When you give them the signal, children must search for the flashcards for a pre-determined period, for example three minutes. When the time is up, children must be able to “read” their flashcards to earn a point for their team. If they are unable to find the correct word, the other team can earn the point if they succeed.

Describe that taste

Whenever children eat, make a habit of describing what they are tasting. Tell them, for example, that the yogurt they are eating is sweet, that their soup is salty, or that they like the taste of this type of cookie because it is sweet.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND MOTOR SKILLS

I have 10 mouths

(Open miniature mouths) Print and laminate. Hide 10 mouth illustrations throughout your daycare. Set a basket on the floor, in the centre of the room. Children search for the mouths and deposit each one they find in the basket before going to back to search for more.

Game-5 senses wheel

(Open game-5 senses wheel) Print, laminate, and cut out the arrow. Make a small hole in the centre of the wheel and insert a fastener to hold the arrow in place. To solidify your wheel, you could stick it on a paper plate. Use the wheel to play with children’s five senses. Children take turns spinning the arrow. Depending on where the arrow stops, they will have to find a “hearing”, “sight”, “touch”, “taste”, or “smell” card and set it on their playing card. If the arrow lands on the same sense a second time, children must skip their turn. The first child who completes his card wins.

Sticky mouth game

(Open game-sticky mouths) Print and laminate. Display the game on a wall, at children’s eye level. Give each child a laminated mouth with adhesive putty on the back. Blindfold children and invite them to try to stick the mouth as close to the correct spot as possible. The child who is the closest wins.

Fruit hide-and-seek

Hide fruit throughout your daycare. Every time a child finds a fruit, he must set it in a basket on a table. Once all the fruit has been found, gather around the basket and eat the fruit as a snack.

Taste this, taste that

At snack or lunch time, take the time to taste the different foods you are serving with your group. Older children will be tempted to do the same.

Tasty surprise box

Insert a surprise snack in a box and wrap it, using several layers of adhesive tape. Sit in a circle with your group. Set the box in the centre along with oven mitts. Children take turns rolling a die. Every time a child rolls a “1”, he must put the oven mitts on and begin unwrapping the box while the others continue to take turns rolling the die. As soon as another child rolls a “1”, he gets the oven mitts and continues unwrapping the box. The game ends when the box is completely unwrapped. Children get to eat the snack as their reward.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Educa-symmetry-Sense of taste

(Open educa-symmetry-Sense of taste) Print. Children must color the picture at the bottom of the page to make it look exactly like the picture at the top of the page.

I use my mouth to taste things

Encourage children to notice their mouth and invite them to observe the mouths of the other children in your group. Explain how their tongue is required for tasting things. Invite them to look at their tongue in the mirror. Invite children to stick their tongue out and photograph them. Print the pictures and use them for a collage.

Mouths and colors

(Open mouths and colors) Print and laminate. Set the colorful mouths in front of the children in your group. Have them take turns picking a food item and associating it with the mouth of the corresponding color.

Things I like and dislike

Draw a large mouth. Provide several old magazines. Encourage children to cut pictures of things that can be eaten out of the magazines and glue them on the mouth. For this activity, you could draw a nose, eyes, a hand, or an ear instead of a mouth.

My mouth, my tastes

(Open game-tastes) Print and laminate the illustrations. Stick the mouth on a cardboard box. Cut slits at the top of the tongue so children can insert the illustrations. Children take turns picking a card, naming the item, and stating whether it tastes good or not. If the illustrated item tastes good, they insert it in the box. If the illustrated item does not taste good, have them set it aside.

5 senses association game

(Open association game-5 senses) Print, laminate, and cut out the parts. Children must associate each picture to the correct sense (hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste).

What can and can’t be eaten

(Open what can and can’t be eaten) Print and laminate. Glue the picture of the child on a cardboard box. Cut a slit where the mouth is so children can insert the cards. Arrange the cards in a pile and invite children to take turns picking a card, naming the item, and stating if the item can or can’t be eaten. If it is edible, they must insert the card in the child’s mouth. Otherwise, they must simply set the card aside.

Sweet, salty, bitter, tart

(Open association games-tastes) Print. Arrange the four types of tastes in front of your group. Pick a card, name the item, and have your group associate it with the correct taste. To make this activity more interesting, you could have the corresponding food items on hand, so children can taste them to verify their hypotheses.

MORAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Role play corner

Set dolls, stuffed animals, plastic food items, baby bottles, spoons, bibs, facecloths, and bowls in a corner of your daycare. Children will have fun pretending to eat or feeding the dolls and stuffed animals throughout the theme.

Photo booth-Sense of taste

(Open photo booth-Sense of taste) Print the various accessories, cut them out, and glue a drinking straw behind each one. Purchase hats, scarves, plastic smiles, glasses, etc. at your local dollar store. Create a décor using a large piece of cardboard or curtain. Invite children to pick the accessories they prefer and pose for you. You can take individual, group, or family photos. Print the pictures and display them on a wall for everyone to see.

Sour face contest

Give each child a large pickle. When you give the signal, they must bite into it. Photograph your group as they wince. Print the pictures and display them on a wall.

Fruit and juices

Prepare a simple association game for your group. Pour a small amount of juice in a plastic sippy cup for each child. If, for example, you have chosen to serve apple juice, show children an apple as they drink the juice. With older children, hold a different type of fruit in each hand and have them guess which one represents the type of juice they are drinking.

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

Silly faces

Make lunch or snack time interesting by presenting foods in a fun way to help children want to taste them. Cut oval shapes out of cardboard and use adhesive paper to stick them in the bottom of children’s plates. Each oval shall represent a face outline. Use different types of food to create silly faces. For example, salad leaves could represent hair, a cherry tomato could become a nose, pieces of cheese could be used for eyes, and a small sausage could represent a mouth. You could also use the face outline available in the Educatall club.

Taste test platter

You will need several empty ice cube trays. Fill each section with a different type of food. Try to offer a variety of colors and flavors. For example, one section could contain white salty cheese cubes, another section could contain sweet strawberry slices, another one could be filled with crunchy green beans, etc.

Dried fruit

Slice different types of fruit (bananas, apples, oranges, pears, etc.) and set them out to dry on paper towels. Leave them for a few days. Observe the results with your group. If you prefer, purchase different types of dried fruit and taste them with your group.

Fruit

(Open fruit) Print and laminate. Arrange the pictures in front of the children in your group. Cut a piece of each fruit that is represented by a picture and arrange them on a platter. Blindfold children and encourage them to taste each fruit one by one before trying to identify what they tasted by pointing to the correct picture.

Snap, crunch, pop

Invite children to pay attention to the sounds their mouth makes when they eat different types of food.

Apple juice, orange juice

Using a juice extractor, prepare personalized fruit juice with your group. Variation: If you wish, give each child a Ziploc bag containing an orange slice. Seal the bags and have children squish their orange with their fingers to extract its juice. Insert a straw in each bag and let children drink their homemade orange juice.

Chocolate fondue

Prepare a traditional chocolate fondue for your group or simply replace the melted chocolate that is normally used with chocolate pudding. Enjoy with fruit.

Introduction to exotic fruit

Purchase several types of “less-known” fruit and explore them with your group.

Spreadable flavors

At snack time, spread four different types of spreads on bread slices (butter, cheese, jam, caramel, etc.). Let children taste a small piece of each bread slice. If you wish, blindfold them and invite them to identify what they are eating.

EARLY SCIENCE/EXPLORATION/MANIPULATION

Salty and sweet

Our tongue can taste different flavors (sweet, salty, bitter, tart). Discuss these flavors with your group and let them taste an example of each type of flavor. For example, you could provide a small quantity of sugar, salt, cocoa, and vinegar. Encourage children to talk about their experience.

Texture bag

Fill a bag with a variety of objects that have different textures. Here are a few suggestions:

• Sponges (rough, soft, plastic, metallic, etc.).
• Fabric pieces (jeans, velvet, linen, silk, etc.).
• Different types of paper (sandpaper, corrugated, waxed, etc.).

Anything that has a special texture can be added to your texture bag. Let children take turns picking an item out of your bag and let your group manipulate, touch, and observe each one. Have children sort them per their size, color, shape, etc.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Mandalas-Sense of taste

(Open mandalas-Sense of taste) Print for each child. Invite children to color the mandalas as they wish to help them relax. Provide markers that smell like different types of food for this activity.

Models-Sense of taste

(Open models-Sense of taste) Print the models and use them for your various projects and needs throughout the theme.

Puppets-Sense of taste

(Open puppets-Sense of taste) Print the puppet models on heavy cardboard. Have children cut them out and decorate them with different arts & crafts materials. Stick a Popsicle stick behind each one to complete your puppets.

Drawing my mouth

(Open drawing my mouth) Print for each child. Stand in front of a mirror with your group and encourage children to notice their facial features. Of course, invite them to pay special attention to their mouth. Invite each child to draw his mouth as accurately as possible.

Edible paint

Let children manipulate and taste the food items you present throughout this activity. Depending on their age, you can set a sheet of waxed paper on the table in front of each child and deposit a dollop of whipped cream, fruit puree, pudding or Jell-O powder mixed with a small amount of water on it. Invite them to spread the edible paint around and let them explore freely.

Flavored collage

Have fun sticking pictures or illustrations of a variety of food items cut out of grocery store flyers on a piece of cardboard or a piece of adhesive paper with your group. Select items children will recognize such as an ice cream cone, hot soup, a baby bottle filled with milk, a piece of cheese, fruit, etc.

Sticky, sticky

Melt marshmallows in the microwave for approximately 30 seconds. Stir the preparation and return it to the microwave for 10 seconds more. Let children dip their finger in the sticky texture and use it to draw on a piece of construction paper. Let them touch, taste, and smell this sticky, sticky paint.

Puppets-Five senses

(Open puppets-Five senses) Print the models on heavy cardboard. Have children cut them out and decorate them with a variety of arts & crafts materials. Glue a Popsicle stick behind each one.

My plate

Give each child a paper plate. Set several grocery store flyers on the table. Encourage children to cut food items they enjoy out of the flyers and glue them on their plate. You could turn this into a group project and have children glue items belonging to a different food group (or a different flavor) on each plate.

COLORING PAGES

(Open coloring pages theme-Sense of taste) Print for each child.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE COLORING PAGES

Identical coloring pages-Sense of taste

Print the same coloring page for each child and an additional copy for your model. Color only certain parts of your picture. Present the model to your group and ask them to color their picture to make it look exactly like yours.

Coloring binder-Sense of taste

Print and laminate several coloring pages and arrange them in a binder with a few dry-erase markers. Leave everything on a table for children to explore.

Musical drawing-Sense of taste

Play musical drawing with your group. Give each child a coloring page. Have children sit around a table. When the music starts, they must pass the coloring pages around the table. Every time the music stops, they must color the picture in front of them until the music starts again.

Homemade puzzles-Sense of taste

Give each child a picture to color. When they are done, cut each picture into pieces to create unique puzzles.

SONGS & RHYMES-SENSE OF TASTE

(Open songs & rhymes-Sense of taste) Print.

By: Patricia Morrison                   

Sense of taste

My taste buds enjoy

Sweet, sweet sugar

Salt and vinegar chips

But watch me wince

Whenever

Tart lemon slices

Touch my lips