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Puppet Power
Why Puppets Will Never Go out of Style
By Emily Mendell
The Grand Finale: A puppet show is an excellent opportunity for children to perform, bask in the limelight and showcase their creativity. Whether it's an intimate show for an audience of one or an extravaganza for many, this activity offers the chance for children to organize, direct, create scenery, rehearse and see a project from beginning to end. And there is no need for an expensive puppet theater. A table with a cloth draped over it works very well. For more enterprising, older children, there are opportunities to learn about advertising, ticket selling and even bookkeeping! This type of excitement is contagious and can draw other children and family members into the show.
For parents who want to monitor the screen time spent by their children each day, puppets are a perfect way to turn off the TV or computer and turn on the mind. Above everything, Levin recommends taking the time to listen to what your children are communicating with their puppets. "Puppets give children a voice and allow them to convey thoughts or feelings that they may not ever express directly themselves," she says. "You don't want to miss that ... It is the easiest thing in the world. Put a puppet on your hand, sit down next to your child, and see what happens."
Chances are you will be reminded that some of the best things in life don't require batteries.
