Using Puppets
Puppets are a great resource when working with children. There are so many ways to incorporate them into a counseling session. Puppets provide counselors with a wonderful opportunity for getting into the child's world. The child often projects his/her feelings and thoughts into the puppet.
I highly recommend getting some training in play therapy prior to using puppets.
Types of puppets: You can find puppets in just about any toy store. Stuffed animals also work in the same way as puppets. It is important to find a way to display your selection. You can purchase puppet stands but also I found the hanging shoe bags work equally as well. Each shoe slot can hold a puppet. In addition, you can make or purchase small finger puppets. It is helpful to have a variety of puppets such as animals, dragons, friendly, frightening, evil looking, fairylike.
Here are some ways that puppets work well in individual counseling sessions
- Lower grades - When I am first meeting a student I always off them the option of picking out a puppet to hold while we are chatting. I would make note of which puppet they selected and if in future sessions they went to the same puppet or another. Sometimes I would ask them to tell me about the puppet. The conversation would go something like this, " Oh hello there. What is your name (speaking directly to the puppet)." "Are you here to help ______?" "That sure is a nice thing. Okay, thanks I am going to talk to ______ now." For the younger students working through the puppets may free them to express themselves where otherwise it might not be as easy. Remember that younger children learn and relate through play. Some may criticize and say it is babyish or not realistic but I found it to be a wonderful way to connect with the student.
- Puppets can be used to tell their story. Often the student can reenact the events that have occurred. This is especially the case if the child has experienced any type of abuse. But, also a fun way for them to show what has occurred on the playground. The student selects a different puppet for each character in their story.
- Puppets are great for role playing. If I want a student to practice a strategy I ask them to select one puppet to be the listener and another to play themselves. I have them pick me to play one of the parts. We then roll play what we might say or do. I also use the puppets to practice.
- A unique use of puppets and stuff animals (one of my trademarks) is helping students who are off task or lack focus and concentration during seat work. First I talk to the student about power sitting. We practice (often using the puppet) sitting and containing their energy for a minute or so. Once the student has mastered sitting still I have them practice power sitting while writing or doing math. Sometimes we start out with just pretend work. During this time, at first I just make sounds, talking to them or trying to pull them off task. Then the surprise comes.... flying puppets. The students learn how to stay focused throughout all the distractions. Although humorous (and the students never forget the flying puppets) each student realizes if they can resist the flying puppets then it is easier to ignore the distractions in the classroom.
- Puppets are sometimes used as the counter roll. By this I mean, the puppet is the one who makes the wrong choices. During this time I dialogue with the puppets (as if it were real) with the student answering for the puppet. It is an opportunity to gain great insight.
- Creating a puppet show. (this is also helpful in the 2nd grade play group) I might ask the child to create a puppet show. I pay close attention to the script and selection of puppets. At the end of I puppet show I interview the puppets !!!!! I will ask them questions about the story line or to explain more about what they were thinking.
From my Counseling Room
Lexa was a first grade girl who was having troubles getting along with her classmates. She was very bossy and always wanted her way. She even had trouble with following the teacher's instruction. Lexa would throw temper tantrums when she did not get what she wanted. Often she would be aggressive and hit, push or yell at others classmates. Lexa was fascinated with my puppets, particularly my sidekick puppet "Pandy". Each time Lexa came to my room we would play out a story. She would assign all the puppets/stuffed animals parts and order me around as well as to what my roll would be.
For the first several visits I did exactly what she told my puppets to do and to say. In every scenario her puppet was the star. Her puppet often did naughty things and blamed it on my puppets. After several sessions I began having my puppet be a little more assertive and standing up to her puppet. At one point my puppet declared not to be her puppets friend anymore and thus began the true work between us. Through the puppet's feedback Lexa began to see the consequences of her choices of behavior, had a puppet model positive interactions and also see alternatives that worked in building friendships.
Epilogue
By third grade Lexa had formed a group of friends that were patient with her bossy ways but also felt confident to "stand up to her" and give her feedback. As a 5th grader she came to visit me and we talked about her times she came to see me in First grade. We laughed about how she use to torture "Pandy". I am pretty sure, had we not had the time together, she would have alienated all chances of developing any lasting friendships.
For the first several visits I did exactly what she told my puppets to do and to say. In every scenario her puppet was the star. Her puppet often did naughty things and blamed it on my puppets. After several sessions I began having my puppet be a little more assertive and standing up to her puppet. At one point my puppet declared not to be her puppets friend anymore and thus began the true work between us. Through the puppet's feedback Lexa began to see the consequences of her choices of behavior, had a puppet model positive interactions and also see alternatives that worked in building friendships.
Epilogue
By third grade Lexa had formed a group of friends that were patient with her bossy ways but also felt confident to "stand up to her" and give her feedback. As a 5th grader she came to visit me and we talked about her times she came to see me in First grade. We laughed about how she use to torture "Pandy". I am pretty sure, had we not had the time together, she would have alienated all chances of developing any lasting friendships.