When Scent Becomes Story: An Olfactory Holiday Experience in a Brooklyn Preschool

Something special unfolded at a preschool in Brooklyn this holiday season. Not just visually, but sensorially.

As part of a school-wide holiday bulletin board challenge at a special education Brooklyn, NY preschool, I was honored to sponsor a contest that invited classrooms to create immersive displays filled with texture, storytelling, and student participation. 

As both an occupational therapist and the founder of Immortal Haus, I was excited to encourage educators to intentionally integrate scent as part of the experience.

Often overlooked in classroom design, the inclusion of the olfactory system served as a powerful reminder of how deeply scent shapes emotion, memory, regulation, and connection, especially in early childhood.

A Bulletin Board That Engaged Every Sense

Among all participating classrooms, one stood out in a way that both engaged multiple senses while also centering the student experience.

The winning bulletin board carried the message: “We are like snowflakes, all different in our own way.”

The display featured layered snowy hills crafted from tissue paper, snowmen created by the students peeking out playfully, hand-made gloves hanging from clothespins, and delicate snowflakes scattered throughout. The color palette of blue, white, and black brought calm and cohesion, while the textures added depth and dimension.

Emerging from the display was a three-dimensional hot cocoa cup, appearing as though a snowman was extending it outward. As people passed by, the air carried the scent of peppermint and hot chocolate. Warm, familiar, and instantly nostalgic.

Everyone slowed down. Smiles appeared. While children touched and engaged with the display; it also sparked a sense of comfort and joy among the adults that felt deeply familiar, almost childlike. The experience was immersive, emotional, and memorable.

The winning classroom received the grand prize for their extraordinary creativity and intentionality. Each participating teacher was gifted a full-size Immortal Haus luxury candle as recognition for their exceptional work. It was an honor to celebrate Ms. Renae, Ms. Tajhae, and Ms. Shaneeza on a job well done!

Why Scent Matters in a Learning Environment

Occupational therapists approach development through a holistic lens. We consider not only physical skills, but emotional regulation, mental health, sensory processing, and psychosocial well-being.

There is no right or wrong way to experience the world. Sensory systems simply respond uniquely based on the individual.

Scent is particularly powerful because it connects directly to the brain’s emotional and memory centers. It can calm or overstimulate, ground or distract, comfort or overwhelm.

In a classroom setting, a child’s emotional state may be influenced by the sensory environment around them. A scent might help a child feel more regulated. By intentionally introducing scent into this project, educators were able to understand firsthand the impact of olfactory input to the instructional experience.

Teaching Through Experience

This contest was never about competition. It was about awareness.

Rather than explaining the importance of scent through instruction alone, educators were invited to design with it, reflect on it, and observe its impact. This experiential approach allowed for deeper understanding and lasting insight.

Now, each time these teachers walk into their classroom, they carry a heightened awareness of how sensory input influences attention, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

This is occupational therapy integrated naturally into everyday environments.

Where Occupational Therapy and Immortal Haus Intersect

Immortal Haus was created from a deep understanding of how sensory experiences influence mental health, emotional well-being, and daily rituals.

My background in occupational therapy and psychology, with a focus on neurobehavioral and neurocognitive studies, informs the brand at every level. The goal has always been to create fragrances that support calm, connection, and moments of joy. This holiday contest embodied that philosophy. 

This project served as a reminder that scent is not simply an added detail. When used thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful sensory language that shapes how we feel, remember, and connect.