I think it's often overlooked that children's sense of taste is more sensitive than adults'.
Particularly green leafy veg often has quite bitter flavours in it, which over time we just don't notice as much, but for kids that can be the dominant thing they notice.
Same with brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage) with a sulphurous flavour more than bitter (depends how they're cooked, but if you already have the idea in your head that you hate that, it's usually noticeable).