The POWER of PUPPETS

Transcription

1 The POWER of PUPPETS Developing practitioner skills in using puppets effectively A training topic linked to the Inclusion Development Programme (Early Years) Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs (2008) An Essex Area SENCO workshop

2 Aims of workshop To review the benefits of using different types of puppets with pre-school children To consider appropriate opportunities to use puppets effectively in the early years setting To practise techniques that bring puppets to life

3 Using puppets in the pre-school In what activity? For what reason?

4 Using different types of puppets Finger puppets Often Sometimes Never Hand puppets Large puppets

5 The benefits of using puppets Puppets appeal to children s playful nature encourage children to become more vocal and interactive create a pressure-free space for the voice of a child Do you as a practitioner know the difference between children who are shy or reserved and those who have speech, language and communication needs? IDP: A Unique Child (page 21)

6 Puppets across the curriculum Communication, Language & Literacy Provide stories, pictures and puppets which allow children to experience and talk about how characters feel. Reading 22-36m Use puppets and other props to encourage listening and responding when singing a familiar song or reading from a story book Linking sounds and letters 22-36m Introduce, alongside books, story props, such as pictures, puppets and objects, to retell stories and to think about how the characters feel Language for Communication 30-50m Creative Development Have a range of puppets that can glide along the table, or dance around on the end of a fist in time to some lively music. Creating Music and Dance 8-20m Personal, Social & Emotional Development Plan circle times when children can have an opportunity to talk about their feelings and support them by providing props, such as a sad puppet, that can be used to show how they feel. Self-confidence and Self- esteem m

7 Using finger puppets What can you do with it? What can you convey?

8 Using hand puppets Puppet posture: When using a stage (eg your other hand), watch your puppet s height if it s talking to you, keep it at your eye level Find the most natural position for your puppet to stand so it looks straight ahead Keep your puppet awake make slight gestures, maintain good posture

9 Holding and moving techniques Fingers = puppet s jaw Wrist = puppet s neck Elbow and shoulder = puppet s movement Lip synchronisation: Coordinate your hand and lip movements to make the puppet speak convincingly

10 Meet our hide and seek puppets Anticipation Surprise Use as a delivery agent Introduce a small prop to the children

11 Bringing the puppet to life Coming out of the box Make sure the children see it animated at the start and return to its home still alive Make the puppet s movement appropriate to its character Movement, action and the use of props are more effective than words Don t overdo it save large movements or noise until you need dramatic effect Eye contact Make the puppet look from one child to another to follow their conversation

12 Large puppets Establish a puppet that only the practitioner has access to: Reinforce rules and routines correcting the puppet not the child Weekly visitor Tell his news Introduce a range of topics and bring in things of interest Deal with sensitive issues project onto puppet not the child

13 Story telling puppets Type of puppet may suggest story theme Realistic Mythical Magical The puppet could enrich the story telling experience by making reactions at key moments in the story present a series of props linked to the story by taking them out of a box at appropriate times help turn the pages of the story book invite children to tell their own story

14 Establish the puppet s identity Puppet passport Puppet Passport My name is: Rod My age: 4 1/4 Photos in real-life situations Build up a library of pictures for each puppet Where I live: I live with: My best friends are: My favourite food is: I am happy when I am: I get sad when: I am afraid of: My favourite toy is: In a flat My mum Tony and Liam McDonalds Playing with Tony and Liam Mum goes to work Dogs Spiderman Create situations For example: holiday Travel kit Post cards Holiday diary

15 Puppets express emotion Head movements I m worried I m surprised I m trying to ignore you I m angry and rejected I m embarrassed or my feelings are hurt I m sad I m fed up or sleepy I m being stubborn I m angry or confused I make quick glances back and forth I do double takes back and forth I avoid eye contact (eg if you ask me something using my name I look away or at the ceiling) I hold my head still and fix my eyes in the opposite direction I turn my head away, make slow glances back to you, then away again My head is dropped I make slow head movements I hold my head up I put my head to one side Mouth movements add to the expression so do arm movements and body language

16 Meet our family of living puppets Maggy Captain Jack Steven Roger Oscar Puppets allow for full movement of the mouth/tongue and plenty of head movement. Mouth and one hand/arm can be used together, or both hands/arms (eg for picking things up or gesture/signing.