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How do optical illusions trick us?

From Mystery Doug

How do optical illusions trick us?
6 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thScienceHealth
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Summary

Mystery Doug takes on a real kid's question -- "How do optical illusions trick us?" -- and follows the clues. Optical illusions trick us because the brain takes quick shortcuts to guess what it sees -- and sometimes guesses wrong. A quick five-minute watch to spark curiosity and kick off a conversation.

Viewer safety

All ages
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Teaching resources

Discussion questions

Discussion

Doug investigates a question kids really asked: "How do optical illusions trick us?"

  1. What was Doug's answer to today's question, in your own words?
  2. What surprised you most about illusion, or what did you already know?
  3. What's one thing this makes you want to find out more about?

Quick work-a-long

Words to know: illusion, brain, perception.

Try it: Explain the answer to "How do optical illusions trick us?" to someone at home using these three words, then write down one new question it made you wonder.