More Than Five: Discovering Balance, Pain, and Proprioception

SciShow Kids

In this engaging episode of SciShow Kids, host Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks explore the fascinating world of human senses, moving well beyond the traditional "five senses" model. Sparked by a debate between their duck friends Bill and Web, the video dives into the biological mechanisms behind how our bodies gather information. It explains the concept of "receptors"—specialized cells that turn stimuli into signals for the brain—and reviews how eyes and ears function before introducing less commonly taught senses. The video specifically highlights three "hidden" senses: pain (nociception), balance (vestibular system), and proprioception (body awareness). Through colorful animations and relatable examples, students learn how fluid in the inner ear helps us stand upright, how pain receptors protect us from harm, and how proprioception allows us to touch our noses with our eyes closed. It also addresses misconceptions about what counts as a sense, clarifying why "thirst" and "the passage of time" don't fit the biological definition. This resource is an excellent tool for elementary science classrooms studying the human body, the nervous system, or biology. It encourages students to think critically about their own bodies and experiences. Teachers can use this video to transition from a basic understanding of observation (sight, smell, touch) to a more complex understanding of how the nervous system monitors internal and external states to keep us safe and coordinated.