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  • SC Science Standard: Five Senses 👀👂👃👅🖐️
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SC Science Standard: Five Senses 👀👂👃👅🖐️

  • Shannon G.
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2020
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From an infant, we use our senses to explore the world around us. Now, help your child do more by honing in on all their senses. 

This South Carolina standard states that children will be able to describe how humans use their senses to learn about the environment. Our senses are used to collect and analyze information. There are five senses, and each one has a specific part of the body (a sensory organ) responsible for it. Singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is a simple yet fun way to introduce sensory body parts. Families can also take a sensory stroll. While out and about ask children to describe what they see, hear, touch or smell. 

Here are some interesting facts about the senses:

  1. The eyes are the sensory organs that see. They notice an object's shape, color, size or movement.
  2. The nose is the sensory organ that smells odors. Did you know that the nose plays a big part in how we taste food too?
  3. The ears are the sensory organs that collect sound. The outside of the ear collects the sound, while the inside of the ear helps with hearing.
  4. The tongue is the sensory organ responsible for taste. The tongue has over 100 small taste buds that tell if something is sweet, salty, sour or bitter.
  5. Skin is the sensory organ responsible for touch. Touching can tell the shape, texture and hardness of an object. Skin covers and protects everything inside the body. It also helps keep the body at the right temperature.

How will I know if my child has met this kindergarten standard?

  • My child can identify the five senses and sensory organ that is associated with each sense.
    • Ex: "This sweater makes my skin feel itchy."
  • My child compares objects using different senses.
    • Ex: "It looks like sugar but it doesn't taste sweet."
  • My child investigates new or unfamiliar environments with their senses.
    • Ex: "I don't like this place. It smells weird in here."
  • My child asks questions about what they observe with their senses.
    • Ex: "Where is that loud noise coming from?"

Activities

Children love learning through exploration. Keep your child engaged while learning with these activities: 

Recipes for Play on Hoopla, also has plenty of activities and ideas that inspire exploration.

Sarah Gough from Richland Library's Programs & Partnerships Department walks us through some simple activities with sensory dough that promote learning and play. Read her blog on Sensory Dough Learning Activities here. 

a smelling scent station, a container with items that children can smell

Create a station for each sense. A simple container with everyday objects works fine. Children can spend time playing with their senses and add more items they find.

https://playteachrepeat.com/guess-the-scent/

A Note on Diversity

It is important to know that not everyone has the same level of senses. Some children may experience things strongly or not even at all. They may be overly sensitive to noise, lighting, smells, and new movement. Or they may feel their senses are muted and need extra support. Children with sensory challenges have what is called sensory processing disorder (SPD). Families should be mindful of the effects of SPD and adjust activity levels as needed. To learn more about sensory processing disorder, find resources from the STAR Institute or the National Center for Learning Disabilities. 

Multimedia

Start your lesson with the following resources: Generation Genius includes a full lesson plan with vocabulary, discussion questions and assessments. Smile and Learn uses stories, songs and games in YouTube videos for an educational tool on a variety of topics. 

George and his friend Bill use their five senses—smelling, touching, seeing, hearing, and tasting—to figure out a way to keep deer from eating the garden flowers in this video excerpt from Curious George: Oh Deer. In the accompanying PBS lesson plan, children use their five senses to record information about and identify a variety of mystery items.

Learn about the Five Senses with Dr. Binocs. Dr. Binocs has a bag of five senses. Do you know what are the five senses of a human being? Have you ever wondered how important are your eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin? Join Dr. Binocs as he tells you more about the five senses.

Ready for more?
Visit the SC Education Standards page

Books to Read

The titles below will help you and your child discuss the five senses. Want us to pull books for you? Contact us at 803-799-9084 and request to have books sent to your nearest Richland Library location.

My Five Senses

My Five Senses

Aliki.
Published in 1989
A simple presentation of the five senses, demonstrating some ways we use them.
Hold
Book
 
The Sensory System

The Sensory System

Why Am I Ticklish?
Barraclough, Sue.
Published in 2008
Find
Book
 
Cold, Crunchy, Colorful

Cold, Crunchy, Colorful

Using Our Senses.
Brocket, Jane, author.
Published in 2014
Seeing brightly colored flowers, hearing nuts go "crunch," and feeling cold ice cream on your tongue-we use our senses to explore the world. How many ways to use your senses can you find in this book?
Find
Ebook
The Five Senses

The Five Senses

Ciboul, Adèle.
Published in 2005
Explains the fives senses of sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing and how they work in our everyday lives.
Find
Book
 
See, Hear, Smell, Taste, and Touch

See, Hear, Smell, Taste, and Touch

Using Your Five Senses
Collins, A. (Andrew)
Published in 2006
Describes what the five senses help animals and people do, and explains how the eye, ear, tongue, nose, and skin work to provide these senses.
Find
Book
 
Sensory Parenting - the Elementary Years. School Years Are Easier when Your Child's Senses Are Happy!

Sensory Parenting - the Elementary Years. School Years Are Easier when Your Child's Senses Are Happy!

Collins, Britt.
Published in 2012
All of us have had a sensory issue at one time or another. Maybe it's your neighbor's dog barking that bothers you or you can't stand the texture of cottage cheese. Does it make you crazy to have a hat on your head? Do you avoid the mall at peak shopping times so you don't have to be around crowds of people? These are common things that as adults we adapt to or avoid without giving them a second thought. What about your children's sensory sensitivities? What if you could make parenting easier and more fun by taking your child's senses into consideration? Imagine the possibilities because you can! A child's sensory system affects their ability to learn, play, socialize and function. Maybe a child isn't able to sit still in class because his shirt tag is bothering him. Or a child isn't able to play with other children because his balance is off and other kids make him feel unstable and dizzy. Maybe your child isn't just a picky eater - it could be that his sensory system needs some special guidance and adjusting. And with so much technology and choices of games out there, which ones are beneficial for your children to play? Britt Collins, M.S., OTR/L and Jackie Linder-Olson - an occupational therapist and parent team - have organized and combined parenting information along with sensory integration methods, tips and solutions. We've done our work, now it's your turn! We've made it easy and fun and will help you avoid a lot of unnecessary battles between you and your child. It's amazing how quickly our children adapt and the little adjustments that can make our days smoother. Who knew that our sensory systems affect every aspect of our lives? We all do now. Beginning with the age of five, Britt and Jackie walk parents through everyday situations and duties all the way through your child's elementary years. They explain the underlying reasons beneath your child's negative behaviors and the often simple fixes (sometimes not so easy, but steps that will lead you towards success). Parenting can be less stressful when you're not struggling with your child's sensory systems. A child won't outgrow auditory processing issues or tactile defensiveness without addressing the child's needs. Working together, you will find that parenting can be more enjoyable if you address or avoid certain sensory situations or prepare for them accordingly. We're here to help every step of the way!
Find
Ebook
I Hear a Pickle

I Hear a Pickle

(and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!)
Isadora, Rachel, author, illustrator.
Published in 2016
Children explore their five senses, learning what they can see, smell, hear, touch, and taste.
Find
Book
 
The Secret Ingredient

The Secret Ingredient

McLaughlin, Lauren.
Published in 2017
Find
Book
 
Mitzi Tulane, Preschool Detective, in What's That Smell?

Mitzi Tulane, Preschool Detective, in What's That Smell?

McLaughlin, Lauren, author.
Published in 2016
Mitzi Tulane uses her detective skills to discover her own birthday cake.
Find
Book
 
My Five Senses

My Five Senses

Miller, Margaret, 1945-
Published in 1994
A simple introduction to the five senses and how they help us experience the world around us.
Find
Book
 
The Five Senses

The Five Senses

Murray, Julie, 1969- author.
Published in 2016
Find
Book
 
Hearing

Hearing

Owings, Lisa, author.
Published in 2018
"Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to the sense of hearing. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
Seeing

Seeing

Owings, Lisa, author.
Published in 2018
"Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to the sense of sight. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
Smelling

Smelling

Owings, Lisa, author.
Published in 2018
"Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to the sense of smell. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
Tasting

Tasting

Owings, Lisa, author.
Published in 2018
"Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to the sense of taste. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
Touching

Touching

Owings, Lisa, author.
Published in 2018
"Simple text and full-color photography introduce beginning readers to the sense of touch. Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through third grade"-- Provided by publisher.
Find
Book
 
Five for a Little One

Five for a Little One

Raschka, Christopher.
Published in 2006
A young rabbit explores the world using his five senses. If you are a bunny, try a taste, take a gander, snuffle a sniff, relish a sound, and share a hug. Everything around is waiting. If you are a boy, or a girl, or a dog, or a kitty do like our friend Bunny. And enjoy.
Find
Book
 
Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals

Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals

A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and Teachers
Voss, Angie.
Published in 2011
During her career, Angie Voss has learned that the greatest impact on a child's life comes from truly understanding that child's sensory needs and differences and embracing it. An even greater impact in the child's life is achieved by educating the parents, caregivers, and teachers. This transformation and shift in how one perceives the challenges can make all of the difference in behavior, development, and quality of life for the child with sensory differences.
Find
Book
 
Author

Shannon G.

Customer Service Specialist

Tags
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Homework Help
Multisensory Learning
SC Education Standards
Science
Audience
Adults
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Preschoolers (3-5)
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