7 Benefits of Puppets in Classrooms

Teachers are using puppets in their lessons. 

Are they just playing?

Perhaps they are playing. Play is an essential element of learning. Not only is it easier to learn when you are enjoying yourself, but there are crucial skills that are being developed during play. 

Seven of the core skills that can be learned are expanded upon below:

2. Captivating Lessons

Highly engaging lessons increase the likelihood of sustained attention. They can also be used as an artistic medium to elaborate on general studies, adding the A to your S.T.E.A.M. Puppets tend to be an effective tool for increasing joint attention for many individuals on the autism spectrum. 

4. Communication

Verbal communication skills can be strengthened with puppets. Practicing and expanding vocabulary with spoken word play helps retain and comprehend language. Nonverbal communication is often taken for granted. Effective puppetry utilizes an understanding of body language. We say a lot through how we present ourselves and move through the world.

7. Art Form

Puppetry itself is an art form to be learned and fine-tuned and is perfect for use in a drama class.

If you were on the fence about utilizing puppets in your lessons, hopefully, this helped clarify why you should give it a go. At times trying new things can make us feel vulnerable. Embracing that vulnerability and doing it anyway is usually worth it. We ask students to share and not be afraid. Showing our own willingness to embrace a new or silly activity can often open the door for our students.

Happy puppeteering!