Wow! There's a Puppet in My Class!

Children love puppets. As parents and teachers you may have observed how much they enjoy puppet shows. Why limit them to shows? Ever considered having a puppet as an teacher assistant in your classroom? Or bringing in a puppet guest to meet your children? If you think it is beyond you, read on.

Puppets can be an exceptionally valuable teaching tool. They may not know the language we speak but they speak a language we know - the Language of Play. The terms 'play' and 'classroom' worries many parents. Somehow they don't seem to go together. Whatever happens to the ABCs and the 123s? Or what about the shyness, self-confidence, or self-expression? That's where Puppetools gives your child an edge.

Welcome to a Puppetools classroom. Puppetools was founded by Jeffery L. Peyton, an educator par excellence who has done immense research in the field of brain based learning and what he calls the 'brain science of play'. Play is perhaps the most unique and dynamic teaching methodology ever to be used in the classroom. Play is not just jumping rope or kicking a ball. It is a medium to transform even the most mundane material into something interesting. This is the basis of the Puppetools methodology.

What does Puppetools involve? Just a simple paper hand puppet. It can be used creatively to become a flower for your science class, bird for your story time, or a rainbow for your art class. Puppetools in the classroom helps make activities innovative and casual because they need to suit the needs, abilities and mood of the children.

But how can puppets be a medium of learning even if it is through play, you may think. Children identify with puppets like they do with their dolls. When the puppets gain their trust, they communicate with them.

How does your child benefit?

• When they interact with the puppet guests they develop communication skills and learn to express themselves

• When they use puppets they forget the presence of an adult and get rid of their inhibitions.

• When they experiment with the puppet they develop spontaneity, imagination and creativity.

• Most of all when they learn with the puppets, they retain what they learn.

Jeffery Peyton has a whole lot of information on the neurological benefits of play based learning on the Puppetools website. Its primary mission is to advance the paper and play based teaching methodology. The site promotes play as a scientific learning principle. This is what Jeff has to say.

"In children-and in the world at large-play energy propels and permeates-an ancient gift of nature, a boundless, universal, self-organizing, self-motivating, and self-directing principle of learning. Children of all ages learn and thrive upon the wings of this force. Adults who harness and use the energy of play have an easier, more productive relationship with children who, in turn, have an easier, more productive relationship with learning."

The Puppetools website has been granted a US Utility Patent recognising it as an invention for educators to apply the puppet media as a unique communication method to deliver the benefits of play. The website is a great discussion forum for anyone interested in exploring the language of play. A truly valuable tool for any teacher, parent or caregiver who wishes to give their child the best.