B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

M
A T E R I A L S
Paper cups
Aluminum foil
Variety of household substances to smell—for example: chocolate,
lemons; oranges; dill pickle; vanilla; almond; mint; anise or lemon
extract; dirt; onions; garlic; any strong-smelling spice or herb, such
as crushed basil, oregano, rosemary, curry, cilantro, and dill; pencil
shavings; vinegar; bananas; hand lotion; soap; butter; pine needles;
coffee; perfume; aftershave lotion; mouthwash; toothpaste; any
natural smells that are particular to your area, such as eucalyptus
leaves or maple syrup
D
I R E C T I O N S
Place the various items in separate paper cups and cover each cup with alu-
minum foil that has small holes punched in it. Have your child try to guess
what is in each cup by smelling it. Let him peek into the cup after guessing.
Start with three different smells and then, if your child enjoys the challenge,
add more.
V
A R I A T I O N
Saturate about six cotton balls (or tissue) with a variety of substances with
different smells. Place each cotton ball in a separate saltshaker or a film
canister with holes in the lid. Make two of each smell. Keep one set in front
of you and place the other set in front of your child. Sniff one shaker and
hand it to your toddler saying things like “Ooh, smell this. It smells like a
cookie!” Ask him then to smell his set to find the one that smells the same.
Continue with the rest of the smells.
Take turns smelling one of your own samples and asking the other per-
son to find the matching smell in his set.
If your child is young, you might want to start off giving fewer choices
at first and then adding to the variations.
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Talk about which smell he likes the best. Ask if any smell reminds him
of something. For example, a coffee scent might remind him of the morn-
ing, and an anise smell might remind him of licorice candy.