Exploring Our Five Senses: A One-Week Themed Learning Plan

Welcome to a cozy week of sensory exploration! As the crisp autumn air settles in across Ontario, it is a wonderful time to notice how we experience the world around us. This week-long plan focuses on our five senses, using simple, hands-on activities that you can easily use at home or in a small group. Please remember that plans should always be adapted to each child’s own goals and pace.

Goals for the week

• Communication: Using sensory words like soft, loud, bumpy, and sweet during play.
• Early literacy: Matching pictures of autumn items to descriptive words.
• Early math: Sorting leaves and items by texture, size, or sound.
• Social-emotional: Exploring calming sensory tools and sharing observations together.
• Fine and gross motor: Practicing pinching, grasping, and moving through space safely.

Day-by-day plan

Monday

Main activity: Sight walk around the yard or living room to spot orange, yellow, and red items. Extension: Point and name three items you see outside the window.

Tuesday

Main activity: Sound shaker bottles made with dry rice or pasta in recycled containers. Extension: Shake them softly and loudly to match a rhythm.

Wednesday

Main activity: Touch texture board featuring smooth stones, rough bark, and soft fabric. Extension: Close eyes and guess the texture by touch alone.

Thursday

Main activity: Smell jars filled with familiar autumn scents like cinnamon and pine. Extension: Talk about whether the smell feels cozy or strong.

Friday

Main activity: Taste test with simple, safe snacks like crunchy crackers and sweet apple slices. Extension: Describe how the food feels and tastes in your mouth.

Materials

• Recycled plastic bottles with dry rice and pasta
• Collection of autumn leaves, bark, and fabric scraps
• Cotton balls with a touch of cinnamon or pine
• Safe snack items like apple slices and crackers

Tracking progress

• Notice which sensory experiences bring comfort or excitement.
• Note new words used to describe textures, sounds, or sights.
• Observe how your child engages with each daily activity.

Every child’s pace is different, and exploring the senses is all about curiosity and comfort.

If you would like more personalized guidance for your child, we invite you to book a free 20-minute call with our team at Bloom ABA to explore how our teaching resources and support plans can help.

Cover image: photo by Anita Jankovic on Unsplash