PUPPET PLAYS

Working with puppets is an effective vehicle for drawing conscious attention to emotions, social interactions and is an excellent framework to facilitate social-emotional and moral development. It can be used with children's literature and drama to reinforce values and to help children become aware of the consequences of their actions on the feelings of others.

Children need to practice working with their puppets to make convincing actions and emotions. Have them practice walking the puppet, bowing, belly laughing, crouching in fear. Make the puppet look happy, sad, thoughtful, surprised, afraid, angry. What characterizes the different emotions? Have them observe each other and other people.

When developing a play, older children can discuss a scenario, outline an action and basic stage directions. If a script is used, have children memorize their lines, so they can focus on performing. If possible, every line should have an action and the action should have a meaning.

Puppet Stages

Large cardboard boxes can easily be converted into stages.

1) Cut off the cardboard box top flaps and one side.

2) Bend the bottom two flaps inward.

3) Bend the middle flap forward to help steady the theater.

4) The inside flaps can be taped to a table or secured with heavy weights.

Scenery slots can be added to enable a change of scenery. For each slot, glue two cardboard squares to the inside of the box. Glue a rectangular piece to the squares to form a slot.

Cut out cardboard scenery with a tongue on the bottom that will fit into the scenery slot.