{"product_id":"food-investigator-silicone-placemat","title":"Food Investigator Placemat | Sensory Food Exploration \u0026 Communication","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplore food through curiosity, not pressure, with a visual placemat that helps children discover and communicate their unique sensory preferences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood is about so much more than taste. Texture, colour, appearance and other sensory characteristics can all influence how someone experiences a particular food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood Investigator Placemat by The Play Way\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e encourages children to become curious investigators of their own food experiences. Using engaging visuals and interactive prompts, it provides a way to notice, explore and describe different food characteristics, while discovering what feels comfortable, unfamiliar or unpleasant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than focusing on how much a child eats or whether they'll try something new, the placemat shifts attention towards \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexploration, understanding and communication\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChildren can use it to express their likes, dislikes and observations about food, helping parents and carers better understand their individual sensory preferences.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor children who experience food-related sensory sensitivities, including those with ARFID or selective eating patterns, the placemat may offer a useful starting point for food-related conversations and exploration, without making eating the goal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy we chose it\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSensory-focused exploration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Encourages children to notice characteristics such as texture, colour and taste\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupports communication:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provides visual prompts to help children express their food preferences and experiences\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePressure-free approach:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Can be used without expecting a child to taste, eat or enjoy a particular food\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilds self-understanding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Helps children recognise patterns in what they like, dislike or find unfamiliar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEncourages participation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gives children an active role in exploring and discussing food\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupports individual preferences:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Makes space for different sensory responses without labelling them as right or wrong\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlexible use:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Can be incorporated into food exploration activities or everyday mealtime conversations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlayful format:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Introduces curiosity and observation through a child-friendly investigator theme\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen might the Food Investigator Placemat be useful?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Food Investigator Placemat may be helpful for children who:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHave strong preferences around food textures, colours or tastes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFind it difficult to explain what they like or dislike about particular foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeel uncertain or uncomfortable around unfamiliar foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnjoy investigating, comparing or categorising different things\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBenefit from visual prompts when communicating their experiences\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAre exploring their individual sensory preferences\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExperience food-related anxiety or sensory sensitivities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt may also be a useful resource for parents, carers, educators and feeding professionals who want to better understand a child's experience of food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood exploration doesn't have to mean eating\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor some children, simply looking at an unfamiliar food is a meaningful form of exploration. Others may feel comfortable describing its colour, comparing it with familiar foods or discussing what they notice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTasting or eating does not need to be the goal of every food-related activity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe placemat can be introduced gradually, with children choosing how much they want to participate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA child might explore a familiar favourite, investigate a food they already dislike, or observe something new without touching or tasting it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir responses are information about their sensory experience, not answers that need correcting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA supportive approach to food sensitivities and ARFID\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChildren with sensory-based feeding difficulties or Avoidant\/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) may experience food in ways that aren't immediately obvious to others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA texture that feels comfortable to one child may be overwhelming to another. Appearance, taste and other sensory characteristics can also influence whether a food feels approachable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Food Investigator Placemat provides an opportunity to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elisten to the child's perspective\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, recognise their preferences and support communication around food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is not a treatment for ARFID or a substitute for individualised feeding support. Instead, it can be used as a complementary exploration and communication resource, where appropriate for the child.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Food Investigator Placemat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Play Way\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Interactive placemat with visual prompts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFocus:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Food exploration, sensory preferences and communication\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExplores:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Food characteristics including textures, colours and tastes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1+ years\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Child-led food exploration with age-appropriate adult support\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare \u0026amp; safety\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse with appropriate adult supervision, particularly for younger children.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollow the manufacturer's care instructions for cleaning and handling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood exploration should be adapted to each child's age, developmental abilities, sensory preferences and individual needs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNever pressure a child to touch, taste or eat a food as part of the activity. Respect signs of discomfort and allow children to stop or decline participation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor children with significant feeding difficulties, ARFID or medical concerns affecting eating, seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eND-affirming note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFood preferences and sensory differences deserve understanding, not judgement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA child who avoids a particular texture, colour or taste may be responding to a genuinely uncomfortable sensory experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aim of food exploration isn't to convince children that their preferences are wrong. It's to give them opportunities to understand their experiences, communicate their needs and make choices about their own participation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCuriosity can be encouraged. Comfort and consent should always come first.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Play Way","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67751816823060,"sku":"165756","price":19.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0975\/2641\/5636\/files\/f9789fb0b41ea525c65dfc055b0352f71e1979066375060da8208f1384840215.jpg?v=1792571207","url":"https:\/\/theaudhdstore.com.au\/products\/food-investigator-silicone-placemat","provider":"The AuDHD Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}