By Sama Marwan ,
The turmeric trend has recently gone viral on social media platforms, capturing the admiration and fascination of many — especially young children and infants. The overwhelming response came from the captivating appearance of turmeric grains when stirred under light, making them look like “fairy dust” — reminiscent of the magical sparkles scattered by the fictional character Tinker Bell in Disney movies. This inspired many parents to try the visual experience with their children and record their joyful and spontaneous reactions.
In this context, Dr. Salma Abu El-Yazid, a mental health consultant, told Youm7 that the “turmeric trend” isn’t just a visually appealing moment that grabs children’s attention; it also serves as an important form of visual play that supports a child’s psychological development. She explained that such experiences stimulate a child’s senses — particularly sight and touch — helping them explore different textures and observe light reflections, which boosts curiosity and imagination.
She emphasized that allowing children to participate in such activities under parental supervision strengthens their cognitive abilities, enhances their sense of joy and security, and creates positive interactive moments between parents and children. All of this contributes significantly to a child’s mental well-being and self-confidence.
Visual Effects and Their Role in a Child’s Learning
The mental health consultant noted that visual processing skills are among the first that children develop to learn and understand the world around them. These basic skills impact everything from reading comprehension and math abilities to social interactions and self-esteem. She stressed that engaging in visual games with children is crucial to avoiding — or quickly addressing — visual perception difficulties, which, if left unaddressed, can negatively affect academic performance, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.
Understanding Visual Perception in Child Development
She further explained that visual games like the turmeric trend increase a child’s engagement with their surroundings and improve their ability to sense and respond to the emotions of those around them. They also help children express their own emotions — whether sadness, joy, or anger — more freely. This encourages the development of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking as they grow.
She concluded by saying that the turmeric trend represents a positive and enriching challenge for children, especially when a parent participates in the activity. It creates a magical, story-like memory that stays with the child for years to come.
