Chapter 11Puppets

Overview

• Storytelling and puppetry are ancient forms of oral tradition that developed historically in the same way

• In early childhood education, a puppet is whatever a child says it is!

Historical View of Puppets

• China and India• Indonesia

– Flat, leather shadow puppets– Three-dimensional rod puppets

• Vietnam– Water puppetry

• Africa– Puppet pageantry

Historical View of Puppets (continued)

• Japan– Bunraku

• Refined from rod puppetry• Requires three puppeteers

• Europe– Punch and Judy

• From Italian Pucinella

• South America– Mamulengo

Planning for Puppets in Early Education

• The teacher and the children should decide when and how to use puppets

• Teachers should:– Choose a puppet for themselves– Get comfortable with the puppet– Practice– Use puppets regularly

Introducing Puppets

• The teacher should model the use of puppets during group time across curricular areas

• The teacher and children should create and use puppets together

• Individual children or groups of children should make and interact with puppets

Setting Up the Environment and Introducing Activities

• Focus on the process• Acknowledge how puppet play contributes

to the development of the whole child• Introduce the puppets

– Types depend on ages and development of children

– Use different types– Alternate activities to address needs of

learning styles and developmental domains

Easy-to-Make Puppets

• Hand puppets– Finger puppets– Hand, glove, and mitt puppets

• Stick or rod puppets– Single stick—dowel rod, tongue depressor,

craft stick, and the like– Wooden spoon

• Marionettes– Controlled by strings

Other Types of Puppets

• Shadow puppets– Translucent screen– Light source from behind

• Papier-mâché puppets– Newspaper strips and paste– Cloth bodies

Materials

• Puppet patterns• Box for “Puppet Materials”• Materials that include:

BoxesButtons and wiggly eyesClothespinsCloth scrapsMarking utensilsEgg cartonsFeathersGlovesLeather scrapsMagazines, catalogues

Office suppliesPaper productsSocksSticksStyrofoam ballsTapeWooden spoonsWood scrapsYarn

Suggestions for Placement and Storage of Puppets

• Puppet center• Place puppets throughout the classroom• Stage not necessary for creative and

spontaneous use• Ideas for creating stage

Puppets across the Curriculum

• Puppets can:– Speak in all languages– Along with props, expand the language arts

center– Enhance storytelling– Help reinforce cooperation, rules, and

problem solving– Emphasize the importance of listening– Be included in outdoor play

Puppets and Television

• Edgar Bergen—Charlie McCarthy• Bil Baird—created over 3,000 puppets• “Buffalo Bob” Smith—Howdy Doody• Burr Tillstrom—Kuklah, Fran, and Ollie• Jim Henson—Muppets• Shari Lewis—Lamb Chop• Fred Rogers—Mister Rogers• Bob Keeshan—Captain Kangaroo

Taking Puppets Home

• Send families information about puppet presentations in the community

• Send families notes and letters in their native languages

• Conduct informal family meetings