How Curiosity Rewires Your Child’s Brain—And Why It Might Be the Secret to Easier Mealtimes
(Even if your child is stuck, rigid, or only eats five things.)
You’re running on fumes.
Mealtimes feel endless. You’ve read the blogs, cut the food into smiley faces, maybe even tried hiding veggies in muffins… but nothing seems to stick.
What if I told you the key isn’t more effort—it’s more curiosity?
Not just from your child… but from you, too.
Recent research published in Big Think shows how curiosity does something incredible: it literally rewires the brain, making us more open to change, more emotionally regulated, and more ready to explore new possibilities—even when things have felt stuck for a long time.
This is a game-changer for parenting neurodivergent children with feeding and sensory challenges.
And here’s the good news: curiosity isn’t something you have to force. It’s already there. We just need to unlock it.
What Curiosity Does in the Brain
(And Why It’s the Opposite of “Just Try a Bite”)
When your child is curious, their brain releases dopamine—a feel-good chemical that boosts learning, focus, and motivation. In short?
Curiosity lights up the brain’s “yes” pathways.
The brain becomes more flexible, less reactive, and more ready to try.
This matters because our kids—especially those with sensory sensitivities—often live in a brain state of “nope.” Their nervous systems are on high alert. New foods feel threatening. Even mealtime itself can feel like too much.
So trying to force them to “just taste it” or using pressure (even gentle pressure) often backfires.
It ramps up anxiety.
It shuts the door to curiosity.
But when we help them feel safe, connected, and engaged, something beautiful starts to happen: they begin to wonder again. ❤️
Curiosity Needs Safety to Grow
(The Real Reason You’re Not Doing Anything Wrong)
Here’s something I want every parent to hear:
Curiosity only happens when the nervous system feels safe, regulated, and connected.
This is true for you and your child.
If you’ve been stuck in food refusal, power struggles, or survival-mode parenting, there’s a reason things feel hard.
You’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re just burned out.
Your child might be, too.
At That Makes Sense OT, we focus on helping families build felt safety and connection first—so that curiosity can naturally emerge.
Once your child’s brain shifts from “protect” to “explore,” everything changes.
Tiny Ways to Spark Curiosity at Mealtimes
(Without Power Struggles or Pinterest-Level Energy)
You don’t have to stage a game show at dinner. Try these low-effort, high-connection curiosity builders:
🔍 What’s Under the Napkin?
Hide one interesting food item (even something silly like a slice of lemon or a star-shaped cucumber) and let them guess by touch or smell. No pressure to eat—just explore.
🧪 Food Scientist Mode
Ask questions like: “Does this feel smooth or bumpy? Does it make a crunch sound?” Play detective together. Let them poke, sniff, or even just look.
👀 Model Your Own Curiosity
Say things like: “Hmm… I’ve never tried carrots with cinnamon. I wonder what that would taste like?” Your nonchalant experimentation gives permission to explore.
These small, curiosity-sparking moments start to shift the experience from avoidance to adventure.
From Power Struggles to Progress
(And Where to Start If You’re Stuck)
Curiosity doesn’t happen in chaos.
If every mealtime feels like a meltdown (yours or theirs), let’s hit the reset button:
🧠 This is about nervous system regulation first
🫶 Then connection
🌱 Then curiosity—and eventually… real food progress.
That’s why I created something to help you shift the dynamic without adding more to your plate.
✨ Ready to Reclaim Calm and Curiosity at Mealtimes?
Download my free guide:
This gentle, practical guide helps you understand what’s really going on under the surface—and gives you clear, compassion-filled strategies to create safer, calmer mealtimes where curiosity can bloom.
Perfect for parents of neurodivergent or sensitive kids who want less stress, more connection, and a clear starting point.
Final Thought:
Your child can become curious about food.
You can enjoy meals together again.
But the first step isn’t a new food—it’s a new feeling of safety.
Let’s unlock that together.
~~ Brenda~~
