The aim of this activity is to explore sense of smell and learn about the purpose of smells in nature.
This activity is great for waking up a child's sense of smell. It is a sense that isn’t used as much in lessons and it can be an effective stimulus for children. For some students, smell can be a trigger, so it important to provide context and structured opportunities to gently introduce new experiences.
Children with a heightened sense of smell may find some aromas overwhelming or uncomfortable, and it is easy to modify this activity for them, for example by substituting some materials with low scent.
You will need
- Smells! This activity has been designed to be done outdoors, so we would recommend discovering smells in the natural environment before you start.
- Print out the PDF download worksheets below that accompany this activity, some are for recording and others for understanding more about how we smell.
- Clipboards (optional) for recording, especially if doing this activity outside.
If possible, move around an area outside, smelling different scents and guessing whether the smell is designed to attract or repel. If necessary this activity can be done indoors, and with oils or the actual plant.
