Puppets are a perfect kindergarten readiness play-of-the-day, for fun and learning, that starts with a p just like April starts with a p. They can be made out of a variety of materials: socks, take-home containers, popsicle sticks, paper bags, bits of fabric, and even fingers. Of course, there are wonderful puppets in the store that sometimes just follow you home.
Children play with puppets in various ways. Usually, they talk to the puppet and the puppet talks back. This stimulates conversation and can encourage children who are reluctant to talk. Language is made of patterns and children may use ones they are familiar with or explore new ones with puppets. Kids also try out different voices, characters, actions, and outcomes.
Puppets can help children with the social skill of empathy as they try and understand the puppets feelings and its point of view. They are great for pretending and imagining. After all, puppets can go anywhere and be anybody. Interacting with a puppet is similar to playing with peers, except that a puppet is often safer so children can express things that they may not with others.
Hands, arms, and sometimes whole bodies get exercise when playing with puppets. As children experiment with ways to move themselves and puppets they are also practicing problem-solving and planning. Are there some puppets your child likes to play with?