Scholars Push for Olfactory Training in Schools to Sharpen Children's Sense of Smell

A historian of scent argues that synthetic fragrances and pollution have dulled our ability to distinguish odors, and that formal smell education could boost wellbeing.

By Duabbly Staff

Young people are losing touch with their ability to detect and appreciate the full spectrum of aromas in their environment, according to research highlighting how modern life has fundamentally altered human olfactory perception. Dr Will Tullett, a scholar at the University of York who specializes in the cultural and historical dimensions of smell, contends that schools should incorporate structured training in scent recognition as part of their standard curriculum. His argument centers on a troubling reality: contemporary society has systematically removed natural odors from everyday objects and replaced them with manufactured alternatives, while simultaneously exposing people to pollution that degrades their capacity to smell effectively.

The proliferation of synthetic fragrances across consumer products—ranging from food items like margarine to vehicle interiors and household environments—has created what Tullett describes as an olfactory crisis of sorts. When manufacturing processes strip away original scents and introduce artificial replacements, the cumulative effect raises fundamental questions about how this rewiring of our sensory world affects our ability to distinguish between different smells. The concern extends beyond mere inconvenience; Tullett suggests that without intervention, an entire generation could reach adulthood without ever developing sophisticated olfactory discrimination skills.

Tullett's proposed solution involves making smell education a deliberate component of both formal schooling and family life. He envisions a future where children at all grade levels receive explicit instruction in engaging their sense of smell the way they might receive training in visual or auditory appreciation. This approach would not be limited to classroom settings; parents and guardians could similarly participate in strengthening their children's olfactory capabilities through intentional practice and guided exploration.

The methodology underlying olfactory education draws parallels to how professionals in the wine industry develop their sensory expertise. Professional tasters visit markets and other locations specifically to expose themselves to diverse aromas, methodically building a mental library of scents against which they can compare new olfactory experiences. By sampling a wide variety of smells, individuals gradually expand their ability to articulate distinctions between different odors and identify commonalities across disparate scents. Tullett suggests that ordinary people could benefit enormously from adopting similar practices, deliberately seeking out varied olfactory experiences to enrich their sensory vocabulary.

Beyond the academic exercise of smell discrimination, there are concrete, practical applications to developing stronger olfactory skills. One particularly relevant example involves food safety and sustainability. Rather than relying solely on packaging dates or corporate guidelines about expiration, people equipped with trained noses could detect whether perishable items remain fresh or have begun to spoil. This capability would empower consumers to make better decisions about food waste while simultaneously reducing unnecessary discarding of perfectly usable items. The skill represents an intersection between personal wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

Research literature contains substantial evidence linking olfactory function to overall health and psychological wellbeing. Studies consistently demonstrate that individuals who lose their ability to smell or who suffer from diminished olfactory capacity often experience depression, anxiety, and various other adverse mental health symptoms as a consequence. Conversely, people who maintain robust smell capabilities and actively engage with pleasing aromas report better quality of life metrics and improved emotional states. This connection between nasal perception and mental health provides additional motivation for prioritizing olfactory education during formative years.

Interestingly, Tullett's research reveals that people intuitively understand smell's importance in their lives, even if they rarely discuss it openly. When prompted to reflect on their experiences, individuals readily recall vivid memories tethered to specific aromas, demonstrating that olfactory impressions shape human memory and emotion profoundly. The gap between this private recognition and public discourse suggests that people lack confidence in articulating their olfactory experiences or have simply never been invited to do so in formal settings. Providing vocabulary and legitimacy for smell-related discussions could unlock a dimension of human experience that remains largely unexpressed.

A common misconception about historical periods holds that the past was inherently smellier or more odorous than modern times. Tullett challenges this notion by reframing the issue: earlier eras did not necessarily smell worse but rather smelled differently. This distinction carries significant implications for how societies understand and deploy smell in social contexts. Throughout history and continuing into the present, smell functions as a marker of difference and has been weaponized to reinforce hierarchies and discrimination. From housing discrimination based on assumptions about cooking odors associated with particular ethnic groups to proposed legislation targeting unhoused individuals for having excessive bodily odors, smell-based prejudice remains prevalent.

Tullett argues that society must develop greater self-awareness regarding attitudes toward odors and cultivate empathy for others' olfactory preferences and experiences. Rather than allowing instinctive reactions to unfamiliar smells to create social divisions, individuals should approach olfactory differences with curiosity and thoughtfulness. Understanding why certain smells evoke positive or negative reactions—and recognizing how these associations are culturally constructed rather than universal—could foster more compassionate interactions across different communities. A shift toward this more reflective approach to smell could fundamentally alter how people relate to those whose sensory experiences and preferences differ from their own.

Smells carry distinct connections to particular times, geographic locations, and contextual circumstances. Contemporary twenty-first-century Britain, for instance, is increasingly characterized by the aromas of hand sanitizer, wildfires, and water pollution—scents that collectively define this specific historical moment. Tullett points out that smells traditionally associated with comfort and nostalgia may undergo significant reinterpretation as environmental conditions shift. The aroma of burning wood and vegetation, which many currently experience as pleasant and evocative of cherished memories, may transform into something evoking fear and dread as climate change intensifies wildfire frequency and intensity across regions previously spared such disasters.

Tullett's forthcoming book, arriving on September 8th, explores the expansive history of human smell and its role in shaping societies and cultures. The work promises to deepen understanding of why contemporary civilization has developed such a fraught and complicated relationship with olfaction compared to other sensory modes. By examining smell through historical and cultural lenses, the scholarship illuminates how much of humanity's current approach to odor is contingent and changeable rather than inevitable or natural.

The argument for olfactory education ultimately rests on recognizing smell not as a marginal sense worthy of neglect but as a fundamental human capacity with profound implications for wellbeing, environmental stewardship, social justice, and self-understanding. By intentionally training children and adults to engage more fully with their sense of smell, societies could unlock benefits spanning mental health, practical decision-making, and interpersonal empathy. The pathway forward requires acknowledging how modern life has diminished olfactory capability and committing to restoration through structured educational approaches.