I have six children. Most are grown now, so I’ve had the opportunity to see them go from infancy to adulthood. Here are a few things I’ve learned.
- Young children prefer bland food. The younger they are, the more they prefer bland food. A toddler will happily eat a slice of white bread or a bowl of plain rice or a slice of bologna. Adults prefer more complex fare, and we often don’t understand why kids like food that seems so uninteresting. One reason may be that children’s taste receptors are more sensitive than adults. Some studies seem to confirm it.
- Children are all about that bass. Children can hear high frequencies better than adults. This lasts into young adulthood. In fact, some business owners have broadcast high-pitched sounds to drive away teens. Teens may have the last laugh, though. They have added ringtones to their smartphones inaudible to their teachers. Because they hear high frequencies better, they are always turning up the bass to match the volume of the highs they hear so well. Adults may find this irritating.
- Tired children are completely irrational. Do not attempt to reason with a tired child. This may be true for some adults, too. If you encounter a recurring issue requiring correction, do not address it with a tired child. It will quickly escalate into a full-scale donnybrook. Pick a time when both of you are rested and refreshed. Keep the conversation reasonable and low-key. Listen to understand. Like everyone else, children want respect and experience being loved primarily as being respected.
I may add to this as time permits.