Infancy : a foundation of simple food (ages 0 to 1) -- After purees : the beginning of adventurous eating (ages 1 to 2 1/2) -- Preschoolers : emerging independence (ages 2 1/2 to 5) -- Big kids : developing a palate (ages 5 to 8) -- Adolescence : thinking and eating for themselves (ages 8 to 11).