Last week a visit to The Body Shop on Mannerheimintie by Forum ended up being much more fun than I expected: instead of being stressed over trying to look for the items I need while trying to keep those super quick little hands in control, the shop keeper initiated a fun game. She encouraged me to spray a bit of perfume on small pieces of paper and let my toddlers sniff them. My 3 yo guessed what the smell was surprisingly many times (for the ones not invited in the selection, their scents are often based on common fruit, berries and flowers), and little brother, a bit more than a year younger, had also fun smelling and suggesting apples and bananas to everything (the only fruit he knows the name of). We had heaps of fun.
Later I realised that this technique is great even elsewhere: rather than always parroting “please, do not touch” I’ve said, “smell and guess what it is” – and the fingers have stayed away (we’ll see how long this lasts for…)! And how easy will it not be to make a similar game at home too, just pick a few sources of scents and start guessing?
And good folks, support the Body Shop in Forum. I certainly will after such good customer service!
Free But Fun 
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