Why We Are Ticklish: The Science of Touch

SciShow Kids

This educational video from SciShow Kids explores the biological and evolutionary reasons behind the sensation of being ticklish. Hosted by Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks, the video breaks down complex physiological processes into kid-friendly concepts, explaining how the sense of touch works as a communication system between the skin and the brain. It uses clear animations and relatable examples to illustrate how nerves send signals and how the brain processes them. The video delves into two main scientific theories about tickling: the defense mechanism theory and the social signaling theory. It explains that ticklish spots often cover vital organs like the heart and stomach, suggesting that squirming is an instinctual way to protect these vulnerable areas. Additionally, it discusses why laughter occurs during tickling, framing it as a submissive social signal meaning "Stop, you win!" rather than a response to humor. Teachers can use this video to introduce the nervous system, the five senses, and basic human anatomy. It serves as an excellent prompt for classroom experiments, particularly the segment demonstrating why humans cannot tickle themselves. This creates a natural bridge to discussing prediction, observation, and the scientific method, as well as the brain's ability to predict and filter self-generated sensations.