Raising children is all about keeping them safe, teaching them about life, and helping them grow up to be decent people. As little ones they learn all about their world using all their senses especially touch. They want to touch everything and not just touch it but really feel it.
Squish it! Splash it! Play with it and that’s important!
They are developing new nerve connections throughout the brain and from the brain to the body. They are learning so much from cold, wet, hard, and squishy; to being comfortable exploring their environment.
They learn what is dangerous, what tastes good, and what breaks. They are also learning secondary senses like boundaries. What am I allowed to explore and when. They learn what to touch and when they can explore.
Proper boundaries and consistent reassurance of what they can and cannot touch, teaches them a foundation for the future of boundaries. They learn how far they can push their boundaries and when and where they can get away with things. All through their innate curiosity to touch anything they can touch.
Another important touching lesson is eating. Experiencing our food with all five senses is an important part of development, and creating a healthy outlook on food. Letting them use their own spoon and explore their own food freely, they learn to enjoy eating and build a positive food relationship. They are also learning fine motor skills. Pinching the Cheerios bringing, the spoon to their mouth, and wiping their own face our great activities for practicing fine motor skills that are important for writing and self-care as they get older.
Finally, as they get older getting dirty is an important part of experiencing childhood. Playing outside, painting, baking, and all the wonderful messes we make while we play teaches kids problem solving and encourages curiosity. They build experiences that can encourage them to grow up to great heights. Astronauts, chefs, doctors, architects, and scientists all started as kids encouraged and allowed to explore.
