SPED Montessori Solutions

“The training and sharpening of the senses has the obvious advantage of enlarging the field of perception and of offering an over more solid foundation for intellectual growth. The intellect builds up its store of practical ideas through contact with, and exploration of its environment. Without such concepts the intellect would lack precision and inspiration in its abstract operations.”

Maria Montessori-The Discovery of the Child

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Fall is the best time of year to explore the senses! Apples, cinnamon, and pumpkins appeal to all five senses in so many ways. Cooking activities, science experiments, and sensory table exploration allow children to experience all of these delightful pleasures at once.

Buy various shapes and sizes of gourds to compare textures. You will find smooth, bumpy, lined, curvy ones, and more. Talking about them introduces children to a whole new vocabulary, as well. When you open them up, a whole new texture is experienced. Stringy, moist, wet, mushy, gooshy…and you know you will hear the word “Yucky.” Oh, and the smell! How would you describe it?

One of the favorite activities in my classroom has always been cooking. Cut the pumpkin in half, bake it, puree it, and then make whatever yummy treat your child’s heart desires. Pay close attention to how the pumpkin smells when baking on its own and the difference in the aroma when it is baking in a pie full of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger. You can even allow your child to use a mortar and pestle to crush the cloves first, for an added fun and unique experience. Dry and roast the seeds for a crunchy, salty taste alternative.

What about a science experiment? Make a pumpkin volcano! After you cut the top off and scoop out the insides, begin by putting in 1/2 cup of baking soda. Next, add 1/2 cup of dish soap. Lastly, add the same amount of vinegar. Watch the reaction! Your kiddos will be amazed! Talk about what they see, smell, hear, and even touch. I would not recommend tasting (here’s that word, “yucky” again), but they could always taste the vinegar before putting it in the pumpkin, for a discussion about what sour tastes like.

What else do we see a lot of in the fall? Apples, of course! You can do the same experiment as above with an apple by adding a teaspoon or so of each ingredient, in the same order.

Apple tasting is a way to incorporate a discussion of the five senses, as well. Gather red, green, and yellow apples and discuss the variety of colors that they see. Have them feel the smooth texture of the outside. If you don’t have an apple peeler/corer/slicer, you must get one. It is an absolutely distinctive way to cut apples that a child will never forget. The hand crank makes it fun and builds motor skills at the same time. Afterward, taste each type of apple to determine the favorite while talking about the crunching sound that you hear when taking a bite. Then, make your favorite apple dish. Is it applesauce or apple butter? Is is apple pie? Make it all for a heavenly smell!

The last idea I’ll leave you with is for a sensory bin or table. Fill it with oatmeal and add in some cinnamon. Give children some scoops, measuring cups, and measuring spoons and let them loose. They will be occupied for hours! For some variety, add in some cinnamon sticks, mini pie tins, or some miniature wooden apples. The possibilities are endless!

I hope you and your child have a blast exploring your senses this fall!