Paying attention to our senses can nurture learning, vacate the mental space and make room for the entry of creative ideas.

“If we extend our senses, then, consequently, we will extend our knowledge. It’s really very basic”- Neil Harbisson

Ever smelled a scent and was immediately transported to the past? Ever tasted a food and got hit by nostalgia? Ever saw something and thought of someone? If yes, thank your senses for making you walk down the memory lane. Senses play an integral role in each instance of existence. The richness of life lies in the memories accumulated from day one to now, and senses are somehow responsible for creating as well as reviving these memories. Just one encounter with a particular smell, taste, touch, sight or sound has the capacity to evoke the entire emotionally-charged scene from the past, freeing positive emotions like pleasure or happiness, or negative ones like fear or anger.  

We might have experienced that learning through personal involvement is likely to be remembered for a longer period of time compared to simply memorizing facts and figures. Research clearly shows that when you blend your senses and creative skills, you learn more and better. More often associated with learning, memorization is another field that is reinforced by senses. The more of your senses you bring into action, the more fields in the brain you use, and the more vividly you can remember. Sense organs also help you to stay alert and increase your attention span. A simple exercise to stay mindfulness is to be aware about what you are experiencing right now through any or all of your five receptors.

It is an inevitable fact (that has not yet been understood and accepted by many) that working with sensations, actions, and creative movements greatly facilities in self-expression. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for children to be able to express themselves for a healthy development. Children often express through face expressions, gestures, sounds, and body movements. However, they might fail in getting themselves understood, leading to difficulties in opening up to others as they grow up.  One significant solution to this is art. Art, a result of sensory harmony, opens the door for expressiveness. Children communicate how they feel and think about the world through their art, which gives them a way to manifest their feelings and ideas that they don’t have the words to talk about. This way of expressing themselves helps children cope with the natural stresses of growing up. Art helps children develop a sense of individuality, a sense of self-respect, and an admiration for others’ work.

In addition to this, one of the best ways of increasing a child’s understanding about the world is by drawing his/her attention to the five senses and discussing them. The most important thing parents must understand is that children can truly explore themselves only when parents allow them to come out of their cocoon and familiarize them with the domain around them, using their own set of senses. They must not be restricted behind a pile of book or computer screen but should also be encouraged to go out as the outside world shapes their development through experiences. Even the littlest elements can spark creativity in these little ones by stimulating their minds. Inspire them to be confident plus bold and make sure to support them on all their endeavors without hesitating.

  • ‘Using your senses’ is a workshop conducted by Srijanalaya, as a part of the Education Fair held in Nepal Art Council on the 12 August, 2017
  • The workshop combined taste, sound, sight and creative movements in order to activate the sense organs of participants.
  • Subima Shrestha, the founder of Nritya Aagan as well as a performing artist, and Sunita Maharjan, co-founder of Drawing Room KTM, Art Educator and a visual artist, hosted the program.