Curiosity and the desire to explore are the linchpins of learning.
After all, if you’re not motivated to find out about something, then you’ll just keep the status quo even if that means staying ignorant about whatever that matter is.
Children are more naturally curious but because the concept of restraint hasn’t fully developed in their young minds then sometimes caution gets thrown to the winds. Of course, the negative consequences are lessons that the child can file away for future reference, for instance, the fact that it’s not a good idea to touch a steaming hot pot.
Watch the little boy try chili below.
[rumble video_id=v5k36h domain_id=u7nb2]
Video credit: Rumble
Hopefully, whatever lessons are learned don’t introduce some deep-seated trauma that will only hinder the child upon growing up but such is the reality of life. It’s up to parents to watch over their kids to make sure that they learn to explore for themselves without getting too “banged up” in the process.
One example of this is a five-year-old child who insisted on taking a bite on some homegrown chilies only to find out that they’re hot.
The toddler’s dad, Gwion Liggett, grows jalapenos in their Blaenau Ffestiniog home in North Wales and Gwion’s son Freddie decided to pluck a few red and green jalapenos from the family plot.
Little Freddie insisted on trying them out. He first licks the green pepper and pronounces that it isn’t hot. So he takes a huge bite out of both green and red peppers only to find out that he was wrong after all.
The effect wasn’t immediate as Freddie managed to repeat to his dad that they weren’t hot until the heat finally hits him and his eyes widen. He also started blowing air out of his mouth as he said: “I need milk.”
The amused Gwion said: “Freddie doesn’t normally like spicy food but he’s been excited to try these chilies for months after we planted them as a father and son project.
“He noticed they were ready the night before and insisted on trying them first thing in the morning.
“I think they were just a little hotter than expected but he was determined to enjoy them.”
As to whether or not Freddie should or shouldn’t have been allowed to take a bite, even pediatricians are divided on the issue.
Dr. Anca Safta, pediatric gastroenterologist, director of endoscopy and assistant professor at the University of Maryland, makes a distinction between hot spices and aromatic ones. Examples of aromatic spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, and garlic and she says it’s perfectly fine to introduce them to children even as young as 6 months old.
But for hot spices, she cautions that the hot part is not a taste. Instead, it involves the stimulation of pain receptors and this can cause an aversion among infants and young children.
Of course, these practices differ according to culture and there are countries where young children are introduced to hot foods early on. But it’s important to first observe what the reaction of the child will be.
Replaced!