IT’S NOT THAT CHILDREN AREN’T INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY OR WANT TO DO WITH THEM…IT’S THAT YOU HAVEN’T GENUINELY CONNECTED WITH THEM ON THEIR LEVEL YET

Do you notice the children who catch your eye—those who are silent or tumultuous, physically present but emotionally distant? Do you wonder if they understand you, these children who seem to live in their own world, giving you little insight into their thoughts and feelings? These are the children we hope to see more engaged in the activities we offer.

When barriers arise, and we fail to break through them, it can lead to significant frustration and concern for parents, teachers, and caregivers alike. These barriers, whether stemming from trauma, limited language skills, developmental disorders, or insufficient opportunities, can greatly affect a child’s development and well-being, impacting the entire environment around them.

How do we reach these children? How do we discover their thoughts and feelings and create an environment where they feel safe to express themselves and engage more openly?

From my experience, children might not always perceive adults as safe due to our expectations, beliefs, and judgments. These are often subtly sensed by children, making it difficult for them to open up.

A puppet offers a different dynamic. Seen as an equal and primarily a friend, a puppet provides unconditional support without judging a child’s actions or abilities, making it a safe and accessible tool. This makes puppets excellent aids in gaining deeper insights into a child, establishing better contact, and exploring new ways of communication.

This is the essence of my Puppet Power approach: fostering contact, communication, and building relationships in which children feel secure enough to open up, express themselves, and thrive as we hope.

What I practice is not traditional puppetry. We don’t just put on a show; we create a character with whom children can identify, want to befriend, and engage in meaningful conversation. It’s about 25% play and 75% dialogue, aligning with their world and crafting inviting sentences that encourage conversation, enhance participation, and challenge children to engage actively with your puppet.

The puppet becomes your tool, your vehicle to help children progress from point A to point B.

In this Puppet Power Pack, I’ll guide you through the basics and demonstrate how this puppet can be shaped and utilized effectively. This pack is designed for anyone who deals with children—those who struggle to connect with a child and lie awake at night wondering how to reach them.

You are not alone. I am here to help you build that bridge.

This pack is not intended for those interested in traditional puppetry or performance.

The puppet introduced in this pack is a means, not an end.

Throughout the pack, I often refer to using just one puppet. This is all you need to foster a different (better, more vibrant, open, playful, profound, inviting) type of contact. The relationship you build and what you achieve through it is the goal.

I share the knowledge I wish I had when I first began experimenting with a puppet, insights I’ve gathered over three decades, and practical tips you can integrate into your daily routine.

The hand puppet is the most versatile tool I have encountered. It has made me a better educator, helped me understand and empathize with children more effectively, and enhanced the quality of my interactions with them through its use.

I never want to be without a hand puppet again; it complements my abilities and opens up possibilities that I couldn’t achieve on my own.

This Puppet Power Pack is created to introduce you to a way of using a hand puppet that truly makes a difference—for a child, and for you as well.

I am your guide and am eager to embark on this wonderful journey with you.

Are you ready to join?