Making Fruit Salad and Craft Work

Maruti Seva School of Special Education, located in Poompuhar Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai-99, is one of the best schools in India and a recipient of the National Award for Child Welfare in 2009. The school’s website is marutiseva.org. This school is meant for students with Autism, Intellectual Difficulties (ID), Slow Learners Specific Learning Disability,(SLD) and Down's Syndrome.
Making a fruit salad is a simple and fun activity that can benefit special children, particularly those with autism or other developmental challenges.Here's how this activity can help:
1. Sensory Integration
Textures: Handling different fruits like soft bananas, guava or firm apples helps children experience varied textures.
Colors: Brightly colored fruits stimulate visual senses and promote recognition of colors.
Smells: The natural aroma of fruits enhances their olfactory senses.
2. Fine Motor Skills Development
Peeling: Peeling bananas or oranges strengthens hand muscles.
Cutting (with safe tools): Using child-safe knives to cut fruits improves hand-eye coordination and precision.
Mixing: Stirring fruits in a bowl enhances wrist and hand movement.
3. Cognitive Skills Improvement
Sequencing: Understanding the step-by-step process of making a salad promotes logical thinking.
Counting: Counting the number of fruit pieces improves math skills.
Learning Names: Recognizing and naming fruits boosts vocabulary and memory.
4. Social and Emotional Benefits
Teamwork: If done in a group, this activity teaches children to collaborate and share.
Self-esteem: Completing the task gives them a sense of accomplishment, builds conversation about likes, dislikes, and preferences.
5. Nutrition Awareness
Healthy Choices: Learning about fruits helps children understand the importance of healthy eating.
Tasting: Exposure to new fruits encourages them to try different flavors and textures.
6. Behavioral Benefits
Calming Effect: Engaging in a hands-on activity can help reduce hyperactivity.
Fruit salad-making is not just a cooking activity but a multi-sensory experience that nurtures various skills while being enjoyable.