Olfaction in Early Childhood Research and Practice

Natalia Ingebretsen Kucirkova is Professor of Early Childhood and Development, Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment, University of Stavanger, Norway, and Professor of Reading and Children’s Development at The Open University, UK.

'Olfaction in Early Childhood Research and Practice shows concretely, intellectually, and pedagogically how crucial senses, particularly smell, are for reading and humanising reading processes. This is a highly original book which is the first of its kind to open up new landscapes and perspectives on the nature and properties of olfactory reading. Sensory reading patterns have been overlooked for far too long and Professor Ingebretsen Kucirkova redresses this research gap with this important book.'Jennifer Rowsell, Professor of Digital Literacy, University of Sheffield'This book is for those who seek to honour the full sensorium in education and in research. It demonstrates how the enigmatic sense of smell, or olfaction, is one of the less understood sensory modalities, yet is vitally connected to memories, emotions, and other perceptual functions in childhood development and experience. Natalia Kucirkova’s book makes exciting advances toward new olfactory literacies for children, including multisensorial intersections with language, reading, book experiences, and the future. Debunking myths about smell, and exploring its cultural and socio-technical influences, the book marks an important step in the vital sensory awakening that is occurring across a wide range of intellectual fields.'Kathy A. Mills, ACU, Australia

• Chapter 1; Chapter 2. The Opportunities of Olfaction in Early Education Research and Practice; Chapter 3. Developing Olfactory Literacies; Chapter 4. Olfaction and Children’s Literacies; Chapter 5. Cultural and Socio-technical Influences on Olfaction; Chapter 6. Anticipating Olfactory Education Futures; References