By: Ashley Godwin, MSP, CCC-SLP

We as a society put so much emphasis on cleanliness that it can hinder sensory development and the urge to explore foods at mealtime. It is so important to allow children to get messy during mealtime because it exposes them to the smell, texture, and temperature of food before it even enters their mouth. We need to allow children to explore their foods through touch rather than putting it directly into their mouth or immediately wiping their hands. This will give children a more well-rounded experience with the food and it shows them that mealtime can be fun! Children learn through exploration with various types of play, so we should allow them to explore and learn about their foods too!