Allow kids to get messy, Bethany Clark urges parents at SCRF

Clark, addressing a lively audience of toddlers ranging from 1.5 to 4 years old, pointed at the importance of embracing the mess created by children as they eat. “We should normalise the glorious mess that kids make while eating and make it normal for parents so that they don’t feel pressured to keep their babies clean and pristine all the time,” Clark said. 

She advocated for a more relaxed approach where fathers and mothers let their children dive into their meals hands-first, describing these moments as crucial for cognitive and sensory development.

“Babies are little scientists, who use their hands and mouths to conduct experiments, whether it’s throwing food to test gravity or exploring textures by pressing or squshing it,” she said. 

Her session underscored how these messy activities are not just play, but fundamental experiments that contribute significantly to sharpening a child's brain and motor skills.

Adding a touch of relatability to the event, Bethany read aloud from her first book, You’ve Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils, which is based on her experiences with her six-month-old son. The book combines humour with practical insights into the joys and chaos of parenting. It concludes with a powerful message encouraging fathers to take part in cleaning up, thereby supporting mothers in the nurturing process.

The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival continues to be a beacon of learning and cultural exchange, concluding on May 12. It remains a cornerstone event, reflecting the vision of Sharjah’s rulers to cultivate an environment where literature and learning flourish, nurturing young minds to explore the world through books and beyond.