Make one mild base

Start with gentle vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin, tomato or courgette. Keep spicy oil, extra salt and strong seasonings at the table so everyone can eat from the same pot.

Let children choose

Put small bowls of croutons, grated cheese, sweetcorn, yoghurt or bread on the table. Choosing their own topping often makes a bowl of soup more appealing.

Give new flavours time

A child does not have to like a flavour straight away. Serve small portions without pressure and offer the same soup again later. Familiarity is often more important than one big bite.