In this training we will explore the different types of puppets, Benefits of puppets, how to use puppets in the classroom, look at some simple and easy to recreate ideas for making your own classroom puppets.

Children who are generally shy really benefit from the opportunity to let the puppet be their voice.

It is also possible to have a conversation between two puppets. Wearing a puppet on each hand enables the puppeteer to have a dialogue going on between two puppet characters. 

A puppet can be the voice used to correct table manners or other social skills. Puppets can be used to work out social situations such as how to handle pushing, turn taking or standing up for yourself. The puppet becomes the instructor and children often enjoy listening to the puppet teaching them to be sociable.  

Children can express these emotions too without upsetting anyone. Their puppet character is the one to feel these emotions. Playing with the emotions of the puppets helps to develop the characteristics of sympathy and empathy too.

The puppet on your hand can encourage your kids to listen to it as it gives instructions or tells a story.

Puppets can help children to learn rhymes and songs as they imitate the puppet too. 

The fine movement required to wear a puppet helps with dexterity and using fingers to manipulate the puppet improves fine motor coordination. 

Marionettes or string puppets help with eye-hand coordination as the puppet is made to walk and move in different directions.

All these skills improve balance and directionality as the child has great fun playing with the puppet.

It is really encouraging to see how children develop their self-confidence through the act of handling a puppet. As their confidence grows they will be happy to entertain family or friends. 

The puppet is center stage and the child becomes more confident to speak in front of other people with the help of a puppet friend.

Making your own puppets from recycled socks or paper bags is just the starting point. There are many interesting ways to create your own puppet characters.

Creativity continues by putting together a puppet show. The show will need a simple puppet theatre and decorating an old cardboard box for this purpose adds to the creativity factor.

Learning how to repeat the rhyming part of the story, like in The Gingerbread Man, helps with memory skills.

Puppets lend themselves to being the characters in your stories and allow children to join in with the action.

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