My 9-month-old daughter, Ellie, is all about discovery. Everything is new to her and she studies anything that comes her way. What is most interesting is that the main way she studies any object is always the same - through her mouth. She'll pick whatever object is lying around. Turn it around and around with her hands, then stuff it into her mouth as far as she can. She will then suck, bite, and taste it until she has assessed the essence of the object. It's quite amusing to watch and it certainly keeps me on my toes as I have to make sure that nothing lethal lies in her path - because there's no question - anything that lies within her reach goes into her mouth.
But it has made me wonder what it would be like if this oral discovery was continued into adulthood? What would happen if grown adults employed it when they encountered something new? Can you just see it? You're deciding whether to buy that new sweater at the store. You've tried it on, but you still aren't sure. Why not pop a piece of it in your mouth just so you can get the texture and taste into your brain? Of course, we don't do that and the reasons are pretty obvious. We would be disgusted by anyone that would (and we certainly wouldn't buy the sweater after they tried it out!)
But wouldn't it be pretty funny too? I'm just saying...
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