Used as the base/handle for puppets.

Why

Popsicle sticks are easy for small hands to grip and manipulate during puppet play.

How

Children will attach their decorated puppet faces onto the popsicle sticks using glue, allowing them to hold and move their puppets during storytelling and performance.

To add colour and expressive features to the puppets.

Why

These drawing tools support creativity, fine motor development, and allow children to visually represent emotions using colour and line.

How

Children will use them to draw facial expressions on their puppets that match different feelings, encouraging emotional literacy through visual art.

Used to add texture and character to puppets.

Why

Yarn gives children more creative control and adds sensory interest to their work.

How: Children will cut pieces of yarn to glue onto their puppets as hair, choosing colours and styles that match the emotion their puppet is expressing.

To create facial features and character.

Why

Googly eyes and buttons add a playful, tactile element that engages children and helps bring their puppet to life.

How: Children will choose and glue these items onto their puppets, deciding how to position them to reflect different emotional expressions.

To safely attach materials like eyes, hair, and facial features.

Why

Glue sticks are easy to use, less messy, and ideal for independent work by young children.

How: Children will use glue sticks to attach various materials to their puppet faces securely during the crafting process.

For cutting yarn, paper, or materials.

Why

Scissors support fine motor skills and independence in creative tasks.

How

Children will use scissors to cut yarn for hair or paper features (e.g., mouths, eyebrows), under adult supervision

To guide imaginative play and performances.

Why

Prompt cards support language development and help children link emotions to real-life social situations.

How

After making their puppets, children will draw a card and use it as a prompt for a short performance, showing how their puppet responds to the emotional scenario.

To build understanding of feelings and facial expressions.

Why

Books help children name emotions and connect them to body language and expression.

How

Educators will read a selected book about emotions (e.g., The Color Monster) before puppet-making, setting the emotional context for the activity.

To represent the four Zones of Regulation.

Why

Using colour-coded posters helps children visually differentiate between emotional states.

How

Each A5 sheet will be labelled and used as a base poster for one zone. Children will attach their decorated characters to the matching zone, creating a visual classroom reference to support emotional awareness and self-regulation.

Visual prompts for children to personalise and link to emotional zones.

Why

Familiar or appealing characters help engage children and make the activity relatable.

How

Each child receives two characters to decorate according to a selected emotion and zone, then glues them to the matching poster. This connects emotional expression with visual representation and colour.

To decorate characters with emotional features and colour.

Why

These tools give children choice and creative freedom, while encouraging fine motor skills and expression.

How

Children will use colours and lines to communicate feelings on their characters, based on their chosen zone. Educators can prompt with questions like “What colours show calm/happy/sad/angry?”

To attach decorated characters to zone posters.

Why

Glue sticks are safe, easy to use, and support independent work.

How

Once their characters are finished, children will use glue sticks to secure them to the appropriate coloured zone posters, helping them make a physical and visual connection to the emotion.

For hanging and displaying the zone posters in the classroom.

Why

Visible displays reinforce ongoing learning and create a sense of pride in children’s work.

How

Posters will be attached to walls or boards using string and pegs or sticky tack, making the classroom space emotionally literate and visually engaging.