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Sensory Salad

Contributed by Amalia, OT Student

Purpose

In this activity the child gets to use his imagination as he works on promoting his fine motor skills and his ability to process tactile input. This is a fun activity to do in a small group for social interaction and promotion of language.

Materials

Blocks, Bowl, Buttons, Construction Paper, Paper Plate, Pom-poms, Scissors, Straws, Tongs

Skills

Bilateral Hand Use, Cutting, Finger Strength, Pincer Grasp, Sensory Processing, Social Interaction, Tactile Perception

Description

You will need to use green construction paper (light and/or dark) and assorted small different textured objects (i.e. pom-poms, buttons, small blocks, etc.). You may also want to use different size and color straws.

First, explain to the child that you are going to make a salad. Let the child tear up the pieces of paper using both hands, to make lettuce leaves, and place the pieces in the bowl.

Then, have the child cut the straws into different size pieces and add them to the bowl. Ask the child to add the pom-poms, buttons, blocks, and think of creative things they can be (e.g. red pom-poms for cherry tomatoes, blocks as croutons). Have the child "toss" the salad by hand, allowing him to feel the different textures.

Use the tongs to "serve" the salad. To focus on social skills, ask the child to serve you/other peers/ themselves/co-treating therapists and say things like "more please!", "no more, thank you", etc.
Got pictures for this activity?   Send us a picture of this completed project and we will publish it on this activity page. Email your pictures to otplaninc@gmail.com

Comments

I did this activity with a preschool group- we colored paper green then ripped it up for lettuce, orange straws cut up for carrot sticks, dry beans, dry noodles, paper holes for dressing(from a 3 hold punch)- After serving the salad I had them sort out the ingredients into different containers & they really had fun
Laura Goellner OTS on Sunday, November 01, 2009
I am going to try this with one of my kindergarten groups. I think it will be a hit. Thanks!
Jessi Neratko COTA on Thursday, September 17, 2009
Love this!! I will be using this for an example on my next project!
Catherine Stephens OTA/S on Friday, September 11, 2009
wonderful idea, which I will try next week
carol ross otr/l on Sunday, August 30, 2009
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