Tirukkural-On Virtue-On The Blessing Of Children-Kural 64

Add as a preferred source on Google

Only a mother will really understand the significance of this statement, that the food in which her child has dabbled with its fingers will be sweeter to her than the sweetest nectar. The word 'Alaavudhal' is a peculiarly Tamil word. I have used the English word 'toyed' to convey the meaning, but Rajaji has used 'dabbled'. In actual fact it means much more than either.

Puram : 188 would clarify the meaning of this expression as follows:
Ittum thottum kouviyum thulandhum
Neiyudai adisil meipada vidhirthum

It implies touching, taking, mouthing, spilling and strewing all over the place, including the body. These lines therefore, would certainly paint the picture that Valluvar had in mind.