What important skills can children learn from puppet Theatre?
It might be surprising as a parent to know that children learn a great deal from playing with puppets. These hand- held toys have the potential to improve language skills, creativity, social awareness and more.
How do you use puppets with toddlers?
Hold a puppet on your hand and make eye contact with your little one. Then, softly touch your baby with the puppet and sing or talk at the same time. Wait for your baby to make a sound or say something in response, and then continue the back-and-forth. Through this activity, your baby feels nurtured and safe.
Why are puppets good for toddlers?
Puppets are engaging toys that can help support oral language skills and communication, social/emotional development, and help children learn and understand the world around them through safe, imaginative play.
How do you introduce puppets to preschoolers?
Try using a variety of voices and personalities that will hopefully trigger a connection with one or more children. Feature guests puppets by having other parents or teachers volunteer their time for a puppet play. Finally, try to add in the use of props, such as a puppet theatre or stage.
How do you make a storytelling prop?
Some common materials used in story bags and baskets that you could start with include:
- Soft toys.
- Farm/zoo animals.
- Little people/Lego figures.
- Small boxes.
- Sticks/grass/hay/wood cookies.
- Finger and hand puppets.
- Visual aids, cards, calendar pictures, coasters.
- Textured material.
What are the advantages of using puppets in story telling?
9 Benefits of Puppet Play for Preschoolers and Toddlers
- Language Development. Children love to have ‘conversations’ with a puppet.
- Social Development.
- Emotional Development.
- Listening Skills.
- Motor Skills.
- Building Self Confidence.
- Creativity.
- Story Telling and Sequencing.