How Smell Books Grow With You

Smell books have been around since the 1970s, but not many people have studied how they change as kids grow up. These books mix words, pictures, and smells to make reading more fun. A recent study looked at 334 of these books to see how the smells and words change for different ages.

For Little Kids

• Simple and easy-to-name smells: "apple" or "chocolate"
• Straightforward labels for younger kids

For Older Kids

• More complicated smells: "fart" or "smelly feet"
• Hints and jokes in the words used to describe smells

The Impact of Smells

• Helps kids understand stories better
• Makes kids feel more, think more, and learn about what's okay and what's not
• Shows that smell books do more than just entertain; they help kids learn and grow

Developmental Benefits

• Helps kids develop their senses
• Enhances thinking skills
• Improves social understanding

The way smells and words are used changes as kids get older. This means smell books are not just for fun. They also help kids develop their senses, thinking skills, and social understanding.