PUPPETS!!!!!!!!!

So I know my Innovative TR class is supposed to introduce us to many new and exciting things in the world of TR, but I had no idea I would ever learn how to do puppetry!!! In our latest class, we learned about the Kids on the Block puppet program, which was founded in 1977. I remember having some of the puppets coming into my elementary school talking about different types of disabilities and social issues and thought they were very cool! In class, Dr. Navar brought in a few of the KOB puppets that our TR department actually owns. I was shocked to learn that each puppet costs about $1,000 dollars to make!!!
We got to play with the puppets and watch a video on how to actually use them and make them "come alive" to the audience. The video described the "7 skills of Puppetry" including articulation and gestures. We got to attempt our skills with the puppets... but I definitely don't think I succeeded. It is super hard to match the puppets mouth with your words and get their bodies to move properly! It was a lot of hard work. I have much respect for the puppeteers---they have a lot of skills!

"The Kids on the Block, created in 1977, features life size puppets who, through the magic of live puppet theatre, teach children and adults about disabilities, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Through the hard work and dedication of many community based groups, The Kids on the Block puppets are able to touch the lives of people all over the world."

After we watched the video and attempted at puppetry, we discussed how puppets in general could be used in various TR settings. My group discussed that a major target population for puppets like the KOB puppets would be in a Child Life area. We concluded that pairing the puppets with medical play to help explain procedures and get children to talk about their feelings about their specific illness/diagnosis would be extremely beneficial. In general, we discussed that while using the KOB puppets or any more human like puppets can be successful with the adolescent/older adult population when discussing feelings, they may not be the number one therapeutic tool of choice as many people in that age group may not respond to the life-like doll puppets in the same way children will. However, as a class we talked about how other types of puppets can be successful for all populations. Examples we came up with included: shadow puppets, sock puppets, paper bag puppets, finger puppets, and paper doll puppets. Creating their own puppets offers clients the opportunity to explore their own creativity to express themselves in the way that they want to. The possibilities are endless-- all ages can make the puppets their own and can put on their own skits for whatever TR program is being administered. Other possible successful populations puppets can be used for are with different types of addiction and eating disorders. I really like the idea of the creativity of having clients make their own individualized puppets that can help them work through their issues with their disabilities and help make them more self-sufficient people in their everyday lives!