Eating a dry powder is difficult and time-consuming. Only small amounts can be eaten at a time to allow the powder to absorb sufficient saliva so the powder can be swallowed. Attempts to swallow too much at once or to swallow too soon will likely result in aspirating the powder and stimulate coughing, which would limit the amount ingested. Because of the time it takes to ingest a powder, it is questionable that a young child could eat a full tablespoon of powder at one time. Children's motivation is also a factor in poisoning incidents.
Curiosity is the most common motivation among young children.
Those less than 3 years old explore through manipulative and oral activity. Exploratory behavior among children 3 to 4 years old may be somewhat more controlled than for younger children. For example, in a study examining powdered aspirin, children 42 to 51 months of age had difficulty picking up the fine aspirin powder, and when asked to taste it, they did so by putting their fingers in the powder and licking their fingers or by licking the powder directly on the table. In role-playing activities, children may use a powdered substance in imitation of adult behavior. However, incomplete mixing of the product will result in a grainy or lumpy mixture which may cause gagging.