Dramatic Emotions: Enhancing PSED Through Puppetry
Written by Marion Walker: an outstanding Childminder at Soar Childcare and Area Lead and Mentor for the Experts and Mentors Scheme
“I had it first!” “It’s mine, give it back!” These are familiar phrases I often hear in my childcare setting as children navigate the complex world of sharing and building positive relationships.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that drama and puppetry can be incredibly effective tools in helping children remember and practice the social skills we model every day.
Meet Dopey Donkey – he’s not just a puppet, but an integral member of our setting. He’s a friend, a confidante, and a playful companion all rolled into one. The children adore him, especially when he’s nibbling on their socks or trying to give them silly kisses. But
Dopey Donkey is more than just a source of laughter. He’s not perfect. He forgets to share, sometimes shouts, gets angry, or leaves a mess behind. He even struggles with using the equipment properly. To the children, he’s real. They love the opportunity to correct him, reinforcing valuable skills like empathy, following directions and safety.
We use problem-solving skills to rescue a frog trapped in a giant spider's web, encouraging the children to practice using new words and problem-solving language.