Scents and Sensitivity: Understanding the Sense of Smell
Created with support from Whangārei District Council
Smelling
Smell helps children notice food, people, places, safety cues and familiar environments. For some children, smells can be comforting, exciting, distracting or overwhelming.
Understanding smell and sensory processing
The sense of smell is closely connected to memory, emotion, comfort and safety. A familiar smell can feel calming, while an unexpected or strong smell may feel uncomfortable or distressing.
Some children may be very sensitive to smells, while others may seek smell-based sensory input through food, objects, clothing, toys, soaps or familiar items.
How smell can affect children
Smell can influence comfort, eating, emotional regulation, attention, behaviour and how safe a child feels in a space.
Smell Sensitivity
Some children may find perfumes, cleaning products, food smells, bathrooms, classrooms or crowded spaces overwhelming.
Smell Seeking
Some children may smell objects, clothing, toys, books, food or familiar items because it helps them feel calm or connected.
Food & Environment
Strong smells can affect appetite, comfort, concentration and whether a child feels able to stay in a particular environment.
Why smelling matters
Smell can have a powerful effect on how children experience everyday spaces. A smell that seems minor to one person may feel intense or unbearable to another.
Understanding smell sensitivity can help adults respond with empathy instead of assuming a child is being difficult, picky, dramatic or avoidant.
Supporting smell-related sensory needs
Support may include reducing strong fragrances, offering fresh air, using unscented products, preparing children for strong smells and allowing breaks from overwhelming environments.
For children who seek smell input, familiar safe scents or comfort items may help support calm, regulation and a sense of security.
Helping children feel safe and settled
When smell-related sensory needs are understood, children are more likely to feel comfortable, respected and able to participate.
Sensory understanding helps families, educators and communities create environments where children can feel safe, supported and included.
Created with support from Whangārei District Council
