Sensory perception plays a significant role in shaping learning processes in multiple ways. This session examines the critical function of smell within educational contexts. Drawing on research in children’s olfactory learning, it underscores the importance of fostering children’s ability to identify and distinguish a range of environmental scents, alongside the development of an appropriate descriptive vocabulary.
In light of the decline in biodiversity and the consequent loss of natural odors, the cultivation of olfactory awareness in children is increasingly
important. The session further outlines pedagogical approaches for integrating the sense of smell across subject areas. It also discusses strategies for enhancing olfactory pedagogy in schools, such as conducting classroom olfactory audits and organizing guided “smell walks” in local environments.
