As young children, we are faced with many exciting new experiences, and using our five senses helps us to make sense of the world around us. Kindergarten children learn to recognize and describe objects using their senses. They identify and differentiate between the flavors, smells, sounds, textures and sights in their surroundings. One way to introduce the concept of the five senses is to engage young children in fun activities centered around each sense.
Sight - Seeing the World Around Us
We use our eyes to see the world around us. We see different colors, shapes and sizes. Sight is an important sense that helps us navigate our environment. Kindergarten children can learn to appreciate their sense of sight through activities like drawing, coloring and painting. One fun activity is drawing a picture of their favorite food, then labeling the colors they used to create the dish. This activity will help children recognize different colors and develop their fine motor skills at the same time.
Hearing - Listening to the Sounds Around Us
Hearing allows us to listen to sounds around us. We can differentiate between loud and soft sounds, high and low pitch sounds. One fun activity for hearing is to play a musical instrument, like a kazoo or recorder. Children can also experiment with different musical instruments and discover the different sounds they can make. This activity will help children appreciate a variety of sounds and develop their musical skills as well.
Smell - Recognizing Different Aromas and Scents
Smell is the sense that allows us to perceive different aromas and scents. Kindergarten children can learn about their sense of smell by playing a guessing game with different scents. You can create various scents by using common household items such as lemon, sugar, cinnamon or chocolate. Encourage children to guess what food item is being used to create the scent. This activity will help children become familiar with different smells and identify them more easily.
Taste - Enjoying Flavors and Tastes
Taste is the sense that allows us to perceive different flavors in food items. We all have different likes and dislikes when it comes to taste. One fun activity is making a fruit salad. Children can taste different fruits and identify their favorite flavor. They can also use their sense of sight to match the color of the fruit with its taste. This activity will help children identify different tastes and develop their sense of taste.
Touch - Feeling Different Textures and Shapes
The sense of touch allows us to differentiate between different textures and shapes. We can feel different textures such as smooth, rough or soft. One fun activity is to create a tactile board with various materials such as sandpaper, fur or fabric. Children can explore the different textures and describe what they feel. This activity will help children identify different textures and develop their sense of touch.
Exploring the five senses can be a fun and engaging way for kindergarten children to learn about the world around them. Activities that engage their senses will help children develop their cognitive skills, while also teaching them to appreciate the little things in life.
