5 Senses

When we experience big feelings such as fear, stress, or worry, it can be helpful to focus our attention on our surroundings. When we tune into our senses, we shift our focus back to the present moment. This helps us manage stress and anxiety in times of distress.

1. Prompt students to take a collective deep breath.
2. Tell the students they will be using their 5 senses to focus on things they notice in their surroundings.
3. Ask students to note:

• 5 things they can see,
• 4 things they can touch,
• 3 things they can hear,
• 2 things they can smell,
• 1 thing they can taste. Pause for 30 seconds to a minute between each step to ensure students have time to note what they noticed.

4. At the end of the activity, guide students through several deep breaths.

• What about this activity was easy or hard for you? What did you notice?
• What strategies did you use?
• When could you use the “5 sense” strategy outside of school?
• How would you change this activity for the next time we play?

For primary school students:

• Modify the prompts to help students notice what they smell, taste, etc. If helpful, have them imagine or remember their favorite smells, tastes, etc.
• After the search, encourage students to share what they noticed and observed in small groups.
• Invite students to find various objects in the room (e.g., according to the colors of the rainbow; certain geometric shapes; similar to a ball; items found in a certain season, etc.).

For students in grades 5-6:

• During the activity and in your debrief, have students notice changes in different parts of their body as they connect with the different sensations (e.g., slower heart rate, relaxation of the shoulders, disappearance of tension in the legs, etc.).