Supporting families through Cyclone Alfred!

Our thoughts are with all families affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We understand that extreme weather events like this can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when young children are involved.

At Messy Bubs HQ, we were without power for 48 hours, and some of our franchisees, including Kihra on the Sunshine Coast, Jess in Moreton Bay, and our founder Natalie on the Southern Gold Coast, were directly impacted.

As parents of young children themselves, they understand the challenges of keeping little ones feeling safe and reassured during such uncertain times.

We also acknowledge that for many families, things may take some time to get back to normal. Please know that our classes will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we want to support you with ideas to help your little ones navigate this experience through play and conversation.

Five Ways to Help Your Child Stay Calm and Understand Weather Events

1. Create a Safe Space – Set up a cozy corner with blankets, cushions, and soft toys where your child can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Reading books or listening to gentle music in this space can help create a sense of security.

2. Talk About the Weather in Simple Terms – Use child-friendly language to explain what’s happening. For example, “The wind is very strong right now, but we are safe inside. The rain is giving the trees and plants a big drink.” This helps children understand without creating fear.

3. Make a Storm in a Jar – Fill a clear jar with water, add some shaving cream on top, and drop blue food coloring to mimic rain. This sensory activity is a great way to visually demonstrate how rain forms and falls from clouds, helping children grasp the concept in a hands-on way.

4. Blow the Wind Away – Use a straw to blow lightweight objects like cotton balls or leaves across a table. This fun activity can help children understand how wind moves things around and allows them to feel a sense of control over something they might find scary.

5. Rainy Day Art – Give children paper and let them paint with droppers of coloured water or take them outside with chalk to draw on wet concrete. Watching the colours spread and mix can be a soothing and engaging experience.

   
   

We know that returning to a routine will take some time, but we are here to support our Messy Bubs families along the way.

Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you all back at play soon!