But, what are they learning?

A baby learns literally everything through their senses. Playing with their food teaches them everything listed above and also about textures and sounds (does it crunch or make a "squish" sound). It will also help them learn cause & effect relationships. For example your baby might learn that putting food in their nose doesn't feel very good! Or they may learn that squishing food into their hair makes mommy mad! Or my baby's favorite, "If I drop my food on the floor, I don't get to eat it! Waaaaahhhh" Now he only throws it onto the floor when he's full. Studies have proven that babies who are allowed to play with their food regularly are more quickly able to identify different types of foods.