Children just love pumpkins, don’t they? From the itty bitty baby ones to the great big ones, pumpkins all find a way into our homes in Autumn. I found that pumpkins present children with a fun way to learn about their five senses: Sight, Hearing, Touch, Smell, and Taste.
Sight
First, have your child look at the pumpkin. Ask them:
1. What color is the pumpkin?
2. What shape is the pumpkin?
3. What part of your body are you using to look at the pumpkin?
Hearing
Second, have your child get close to the pumpkin and see if they can hear anything. Ask them:
1. Do you hear anything?
2. What part of your body are you using to listen to the pumpkin?
Touch
Third, have your child run their hands along the sides of the pumpkin and on the stem. Ask them:
1. What does the skin of the pumpkin feel like?
2. What does the stem feel like?
3. Do they feel the same or different?
4. What part of your body are you using to feel the pumpkin?
Smell
Fourth, light a pumpkin scented candle and let your child smell the candle. (Make sure you monitor them carefully, so their face doesn’t get too close to the flame.) Ask them:
1. Does the pumpkin candle smell good or bad?
2. What part of your body are you using to smell the candle?
Taste
Fifth (my favorite), give your child a sliver of pumpkin pie and let them taste it. Ask them:
1. Does the pumpkin pie taste good or bad?
2. What part of your body are you using to taste the pumpkin pie?