In December, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida launched a new Five Senses Program throughout St. Johns County. It introduced children to touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. This themed early literacy program is presented by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s outreach team staff and volunteers in local preschools.
The program consists of a highly interactive story time filled with music, followed by a period of hands-on learning activities. The children get to learn about animals that have super senses, such as bats. They also learn about sounds and vibrations by making sounds with their bodies and musical instruments. The kids test their seeing skills by looking at pictures of items up close and trying to guess what they are. They challenge their sense of smell by trying to guess smells put in mystery jars. At the end of the program, the children make their own touch book filled with differently textured items.
All participating children receive a free copy of the book “My Five Senses” by Aliki Brandenberg, and each classroom teacher receives a large bag of teaching materials relating to the five senses theme.
The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida regularly puts on themed literacy programs like this throughout the year with the goal of sharing quality programming and materials with local preschools.
To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, go to elcnorthflorida.org.
