Exploring The Sense Of Smell

This activity is a sensory play for young children to explore their sense of smell and to help them learn the different textures and feels of different objects. Smell is one of our five senses and is strongly connected to our memories. I used a variety of spices that I put in small bags, which are safe for children to smell and touch. The different spices are an important part of learning how to identify the spice. 

The area I am developing through this activity is to help children learn vital important sensory attributes and to supports cognitive growth, motor skills, problem solving skills, and to develop their knowledge. The use of sensory material creates hands-on, self-directed, and self-centred play, and it encourages discovery and development. This approach appeals to children who have different learning and thinking styles.

EYLF Learning Outcomes:

4.1 Children develop disposition such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity

4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching, and investigating

4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another

4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials

 

National Quality Standard

3.2.2 – Resources, materials and equipment allow for multiple uses, are sufficient in number, and enable every child to engage in play-based learning

Theorist link

Piaget’s theories - He believes that children need to be able to see, touch, taste, smell, move and hear the things they are learning about. This is called ‘concrete learning’

 

Principle and Practice

·         Responsiveness to children

·         Learning through play