One of the primary focuses in the Montessori Curriculum is the development of the senses. Maria Montessori used the term ‘ Points Of Contact’ to describe the importance of the senses.
Furthermore, she elaborates that young individuals absorb impressions from their surroundings through these points. Thereafter, they use these impressions to build the fabric of the mind.
A young individual in a Montessori-inspired education system receives training in the following senses:
- Visual
- Tactile
- Taste And Smell ( Olfactory)
- Baric And Thermic Stereognostic
- Auditory
Keeping all the other senses aside, here, I shall discuss the Olfactory sense in Montessori, along with its definition, examples, activities, issues, memory, and input. …
Olfactory Sensory Activities For Toddlers And Preschoolers :
In the following way, I structured olfactory sensory activities for my toddlers –
Smelling Bottles
Description: Three pairs of identical spice bottles.
Each pair of bottles contains a cotton ball with the same scent ( eg. perfume, a spice, or an herb such as cinnamon, an aromatic oil)
Age: 3-4 Years
Activity: I blindfolded my daughter and held different bottles one by one next to her nose so that she could identify them.
After she had finished, I switched roles and told her to blindfold me. Then, again, I asked her to put the different bottles under my nose, and thus, I finished the activity.
Observation:
First of all, I noticed that my daughter made a mistake in naming the objects by merely smelling them.
Although she named a few objects, she could not answer the rest. After observing me doing the activity she finally understood how it worked.
Sense Of Smell For Preschoolers:
In the original sense of the term, a child’s sensory education begins at birth. His/her exposure to sensory experiences continues as he/she takes comforting the scents of the surroundings; the sights and sounds around her.
As he/she grows her senses become smarter. Before going to school he/she develops the capability to name objects by smelling them. With the adult’s assistance, he/she can easily differentiate the scents of herbs, lemon, chocolate, and many more.
FAQ :
What Is Olfactory Sense In Montessori?
The sense of smell is olfactory in Montessori.
How Does Olfactory Sense Work?
The odor of an object sends a signal to our brain Then, our brain decodes the signal allowing it to identify specific objects by their smell.
Do Toddlers Have A Sense Of Smell?
Yes, toddlers have a sense of smell, although it is in the developmental stage.
What Sense Is Olfactory?
The sense of smell is olfactory.
When Do Toddlers Develop Sense Of Smell?
A child’s sensory exploration begins at birth. For example, when you take him/her for the first time in your arm, he/she cuddles against you. Then she/ he gets comforted by inhaling the aroma of your skin.
Sumanta De is an educator. He has been teaching students for more than 16 years following the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. He has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
He is nurturing his children abiding by the principles of Dr.Maria Montessori. His passion for Montessori methods goes beyond the classroom.
Hence, he shares his experiences and insights through a dedicated Montessori blog and a YouTube channel under the name “NewChild Montessori”. He aims to offer valuable guidance to both parents and educators.
Education: M.A. English, Masters in Child Psychology & Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori Teachers Training