Have you ever been out for a walk and smelled something that triggered a memory? I’m not talking about allergies…..but emotions connected to memories. An event you had forgotten, something in your childhood, or a detailed portrait.

Well, it happens to all of us. This is sometimes referred to as the “Proust Effect,” named after author Marcel Proust who wrote about the strong unconscious connection between certain smells and memory recall. Scents are a powerful tool in terms of how they affect our emotions and behavior.

Let’s do a bit of time travel to ancient Egypt. They practice aromatherapy for their physical and psychological wellness. Essential oils like jasmine, peppermint, and lavender, among others, were used in aromatherapy. Since then, essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes to attain mind and body well-being.

So, can the same effect be harnessed to benefit our kiddos in class?

Scent can be used as a natural and subtle way to control the classroom environment, improve attention and focus, and keep behaviors at bay.

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How to add scent to your classroom

When introducing scents in a classroom, I always go with the motto, “Get creative and have fun!” (and do your research) You’d be surprised at how educational this process can be. Kiddos will pick up a thing or two and will encourage their parents to do the same at home.

I recommend FOUR ways to introduce scent into your classroom:

Get a diffuser

Using a diffuser is one productive way to disburse scent into your classroom. Simply add a few drops of essential oil into the diffuser, and it can last for days. Which scents to use depend on which type of reaction you’d like to ignite. Peace, calm, focus, energy, pain relief?

The fun part about diffusers is that they come in all different shapes, sizes, and forms. Even waterless!

Scented candles

I love this as it’s a less invasive way to introduce an aroma into your space. Candles are likely not allowed in classrooms, but welcome in work spaces, offices, and homes.

My advice would be to search for “clean candles”: organic, natural, toxin free. Look for candles made from vegetable wax (like soy, beeswax, or non-GMO corn). The wick should always be cotton, and preferably organic. I typically go for Wax Oils or Mr. Meyers brands, but do some searching to find what you like!

Spray bottle with essential oil

If your school won’t allow candles (which we know they won’t), a spray bottle is your next best option. For the DIY lovers: buy a spray bottle, add a few drops of your desired essential oils to distilled water, and voila! You can also opt for a ready-made one.

Remember the toxins above? Try to avoid those by using a glass spray bottle. Plastic is usually made of substances that are shown to be harmful to the body. These chemicals can absorb into the product being stored in them. One well-known culprit is BPA. Stick to glass! Better for the environment, too.

Plants

If you want to introduce the natural scent of flowers or herbs in class, why not grow the plants themselves? You can plant rosemary on the window sills. Grow lavender or jasmine in hanging pots on the classroom walls. Or, plant a lemon tree!

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Scientifically proven scents
that increase student productivity

1. Lavender

Lavender is commonly used for anxiety treatments as it calms the nervous system. Its calming qualities have been proven to elevate moods and positively improve emotional state. However, don’t use it when you need the kiddos to be active.

It is an amazing solution to preschool classrooms with rowdy, energetic busybodies. Introduce it after recess or just before parents come to pick up the kiddos.

2. Lemon

Research has proven that lemon enhances mental and physical performance.

Whenever your kiddos need to focus and gain energy, it’s the best scent to waft in the room. During exams or creative projects, it increases the students’ active concentration.

3. Rosemary

Studies show that rosemary improves cognitive thinking and memory.

If your kiddos have any visual processing tasks, this herb increases their speed and accuracy in processing details. Use rosemary for classrooms that do a lot of tasks memorizing images or numbers.

Rosemary easily grows on window sills for the scent to drift into the classroom or diffuse the scent using essential oils.

4. Jasmine

Just like lavender, jasmine is a powerful calming sedative. It was tested with mice in a lab, and the mice went from 100-0 activity rate and sat quietly in a corner. Does it sound like something your classroom needs? Thank me later.

NOTE: This is a natural healing herb.
Nothing artificial here, unless you purchase a low grade oil.

Kiddos are often anxious or agitated in the principal’s or nurse’s office. You can diffuse jasmine in those rooms to neutralize emotional states.

5. Cinnamon

Studies have shown that cinnamon heightens attention and stimulates the brain. When exposed to this scent, the study participants evidenced faster motor reactions and heightened attention. It’s great during study time or general classroom discussions.

Cinnamon might also conjure images of baking in a home kitchen which can also be calming. Do be mindful of how students respond to each scent, because some scents could be triggers for students.

6. Peppermint

I love this scent!

Peppermint has been proven to improve alertness as well as memorization. In one study, the participants showed increased concentration while performing prolonged tasks. In another study, subjects were found to have higher memory indicators when exposed to peppermint.

As teachers, we know the pain of having kiddos who can’t concentrate in class. This is a scent worth introducing.

7. Orange

I like calling this a long-term scent. Orange is so lively, and you can use it all the time as it brightens your kiddo’s moods. One particular study showed that it reduced the stress and anxiety levels of women in labor. How potent is that?

I don’t want to be biased. For gender balance, another complementary medical journal showed that orange scent increased tranquility and reduced tension in male patients. So rest assured, this scent eases worry and anxiety even in distressed kiddos.

If you are a school counselor, you can use orange in your office, as well.

There you have it. My two cents on scents. :)

If you have been looking for ways to promote productivity or relaxation in your classroom, introducing the different scents might be what you need.

However, let’s not forget that some kiddos might be allergic or have sensitive noses. Before introducing a scent, send the kiddos home with a note and have parents confirm they aren’t allergic to the scent. It’s a smart and sensible way to keep it safe.

Have fun exploring the different scents and responses to them. Come back and share your results in the comments! I would love to hear what worked best for your classroom.

Aroma and the Classroom

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