A New Piece of Information Every Day: It’s Very Important to Let Children Make a Mess While Eating!

It might be a bit frustrating to see your children making a mess while eating. But do you know how important it is? Scientific studies have found answers to why it’s important to let children eat freely.

Children allowed to eat messily are less picky about food.

In a study conducted by researchers based in England, an experiment was carried out on groups of 70 children aged 2–5. A toy soldier was hidden inside a pureed meal, and the children were asked to find and retrieve it. Additionally, information about the children’s regular eating habits was collected from their families.

It was discovered that the children who enjoyed getting their hands dirty during the experiment were more open to trying new foods. So, if you see your child covered in food, don’t worry; they are just getting used to eating!

It helps children’s brain development and aids in learning words earlier.

It has been found that children who sit in high chairs and eat freely learn words more easily. Scientists say that discovering through touch makes information more permanent. Visuals occupy a more vague place in the brain.

This is a form of sensory play that reinforces children’s motor skills.

A child’s learning to hold and grasp can cause quite a mess. However, it’s this mess that facilitates their learning.

One could say that their brains are also being fed with information. For example, they learn that dropping an object means it will fall, throwing makes it fly, and squeezing changes its shape. Think about how exciting and surprising it would be for a child to learn about the size, temperature, and form of food!

Children naturally want to be free. So, let them explore their food on their own.

A group of researchers conducted several experiments to find out children’s learning models. Young subjects were given a machine and asked to figure out how it worked.

It was observed that children worked like little scientists. They didn’t repeat others’ results and produced many hypotheses, not knowing which would work.

Researchers also say that inviting children to play rather than giving instructions is a more effective way to get answers from them. Therefore, it’s important that they have the same freedom with their meals.

Cleaning up after meals can be very difficult. Here are a few suggestions for that:

• Give solid and manageable foods. Foods like pancakes or fruits are easier to clean.
  - Spread a tablecloth or mat to catch food that falls to the ground.
  - Choose easy-to-clean chairs.
  - Opt for items that reduce mess. For example, there are silicone bibs that catch falling food.