Puppet Yarning Circle and Songs, Term 3

 What is new in Term 3? 

My new Puppet Pals -- each with a different character -- will join me in telling stories, jokes, making up songs, and yarning with school students. 

Puppets can talk about important things...

This is especially important for NAIDOC Week because all the puppets are Australian native animals. NAIDOC Week is held from 7-14 July, 2024. It is a national annual celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. My Puppet Pals are part of Caring for Country and belonging to our Creative Community. We try new things--listening, looking, learning, making and exploring ideas. If we have questions, we ask Elders and people knowledgeable about native wildlife. 

The Tasmanian Devil, Spotted Quoll, Bilby, and Cassowary are endangered animals.

 

 

 

Even the Koala's habitat is under threat when bushland and forests are destroyed.

Habitat--Observing and Making

I used to live and work at Purga in Ipswich, and there were Kangaroos that hopped down the street, and a Koala that lived in a big gum tree, and lots of Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos and Corellas. We saw Bilbys and Hopping Desert Mice in the Queens Park Nature Centre in Ipswich. The Ipswich Nature Centre is a place where you can see native wildlife and farm animals, free of charge.

Now I have moved to Wynnum/Manly, I'm recognising the beautiful sea life here and thinking we need pelican, fish, bull sharks, sea turtles, dugong, dolphins, shore birds and humpback whale puppets. This will be a challenge for our Maker Space to learn how to make some Sea Creature Finger Puppets and an Marine Habitat Model (more ideas on how to make puppets and underwater diorama at #DiyasFunPlay). The Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre may have knowledge and resources about local sea life, as well as the Moreton Bay Foundation.

There are some books about how to make puppets in the Brisbane City Council libraries:

 Call number: 745.592 HOD 745.592 HEN

Teaching and Learning--Puppets

Puppet play can help children to improve communication, creativity, social awareness, social relationships and fine motor skills. Drama and puppetry have been part of Occupational Therapy practice in healthcare for the last one hundred years. Mary Ellen Phillips (1996), recounts the Use of Drama and Puppetry in Occupational Therapy in the 1920s and 1930s: 'It appears that the emergence of the Little Theater Movement in the early 1900s, which enabled amateurs to perform publicly, provided the impetus for occupational therapists to use drama as purposeful activity.'

 
Simple puppet theatre for staging children's puppet shows, hung from curtain rod

Australian Innovations--and Questions

The question is though, how does puppetry play out in teaching and learning in Australia?

Gunnawirra services, Sydney, use the 'Boomerang Kids' puppets to present the 5 Big Ideas Program. This video is an example of the Boomerang Kids puppets presenting important health information about nutrition to preschool students. 

Gunnawirra services innovations include the construction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander puppets used in Early Childhood programs. This inspires us to explore and read further research about the benefits of puppetry with cultural relevance. 

A key question for further research is: How can puppetry be adapted to support children with unmet needs, disabilities, and health conditions through Occupational Therapy in schools? 

Occupational Therapists traditionally provide Activity Analysis and design, modify, or construct equipment and environments that improve performance. There are more digital and assistive technologies to draw on than in the 1920s and 1930s when therapists began using puppetry. Networking and sharing resources can occur online through Personal Learning Networks. Therapists are now more likely to be working in schools, homes, childcare and early learning centres. Telehealth is an option for students, especially those learning from home and through Distance Education. International networking is possible. These changes impact on opportunities available for access and connectivity, opening greater possibilities in material world and virtual world participation.

Suppliers Puppets

The puppets, pictured above, came from Kullilla Art Shop. What a bargain! Definitely worth a visit to the Kullilla Art Shop if you are near to Clontarf, / Redcliffe Queensland. Speak with Jo and Michael Connolly about What's New and Deadly Specials.

The Eco Buddies puppets are made from 100% recycled materials and safety tested to be suitable for 0+children. 

• 100% recycled PET Fabric, Filling and Care Label
• Embroidered Eyes
• FSC-certified hang tags

12 recycled bottles were kept out of landfill, waterways, and oceans to make each puppet. This supports children to learn about environmental values and demonstrates caring for country.

Creative Communities--Networking

I am excited to share more on this blog about our puppets and how they contribute to Occupational Therapy--learning how to do, be, and become part of Creative Communities. Read more about Creative Communities: What Does it Mean? from a presentation about the start of this innovative approach.

You can join us by suggesting ideas and sending in links to puppetry learning materials through photographs, videos, multimedia. Love to see photographs and messages from your puppets.

Your ideas are valued as part of our Creative Community which encourages sharing online. 

Sharing Creative Ideas from Others

Thanks to my education colleague for sharing this great idea of making a Manta Ray and other sea creatures using bottles and other discarded items--Sourced from: Arts Craft and Ideas. 

This craft project is useful for developing fine motor skills, communication and imagination through play. The eyes can be made of cloth/paper, to avoid a swallowing or choking hazard for young ones. A loop could be added underneath with velcro to allow it to be attached to a hand or foot to encourage movement. We can make up songs about Manta's similar to Jack Hartmann's educational music video: 'Five Little Fish' with finger puppets. The environment can encourage sensory exploration of textures, sounds, and sights with lighting and other effects.

 
DIY Octopus and Manta Ray--using recycled materials

LEARNING ABOUT MARINE LIFE

A Ray is a fish that is similar to a shark. A baby Ray is called a Pup, and a group of similar Rays is called a Fever. They eat crustaceans and small fish from the bottom of the ocean, and zooplankton nearer the water surface. 

Manta Rays are large Rays that can reach up to 7 metres in width. Mantas sometimes breech or leap and jump out of the water. They have to swim constantly to flush oxygen-rich water over their gills. This makes them vulnerable to entanglement in rubbish in the ocean. Mantas can also be injured through collision with boats. The greatest threat to Manta Rays is over-fishing. Other threats are climate change, tourism, pollution of oceans, and ingestion of micro-plastics.

I can just imagine a puppet story about 'A Day in the Life of Manta Rays in Moreton Bay'...I wonder how would that scenario play out? Read more about being creative in playing out scenarios in community-based museum outreach (Kirkwood, 2012).

AI STORY

I asked an Artificial Intelligence app (Microsoft Co-Pilot) to 'write a children's puppet drama story about A Day in the Life of Manta Rays in Moreton Bay,' and the result is posted below. This is how puppetry is different in 2020s, to what it was in 1920s. Digital Technologies can transform the process.

Manta’s Marvelous Day

Once upon a sun-kissed morning in Moreton Bay, two playful manta rays named Marina and Max glided through the crystal-clear waters. Their wide wings, like underwater kites, carried them gracefully.

Scene 1: Sunrise Splash

• Marina and Max woke up as the sun peeked over the horizon. They greeted each other with gentle flips of their wings.
• Marina: “Good morning, Max! Ready for another day of adventure?”
• Max: “Absolutely! Let’s explore the coral gardens and meet our fishy friends.”

Scene 2: Coral Commotion

• As they swam toward the vibrant coral reefs, they encountered Cleo the Clownfish and Oscar the Octopus.
• Cleo: “Marina, Max! The coral is buzzing today. The parrotfish are redecorating!”
• Max: “And the seahorses are practicing their synchronized swimming routine!”

Scene 3: Lunchtime Delight

• The manta rays glided to a seagrass meadow. Marina nibbled on seagrass while Max hunted for tasty plankton.
• Marina: “Max, did you know that seagrass is like our salad bar?”
• Max: “And plankton? That’s our tiny, nutritious snack!”

Scene 4: Underwater Ballet

• The duo danced together, their wings twirling like ballerinas. Marina spun, and Max followed suit.
• Marina: “Max, let’s perform our secret manta ray ballet!”
• Max: “Agreed! The audience? The curious angelfish!”

Scene 5: Sunset Serenade

• As the sun dipped low, Marina and Max floated near the surface.
• Marina sang a melodious tune: “Beneath the waves, we glide and play, our manta hearts forever sway.”
• Max joined in: “With wings so wide, we touch the sky, in Moreton Bay, where dreams can fly.”

And so, as the stars blinked into existence, Marina and Max curled up in a cozy nook, dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures. For in Moreton Bay, every day was a magical manta day.

How does Artificial Intelligence (AI) impact on Occupational Therapy by therapists being able to access puppet drama scripts so easily? What are the pros and cons? 

I asked AI to generate an Activity Analysis to compare with Occupational Therapy processes.

AI GENERATED ACTIVITY ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN'S PUPPETRY

Activity Analysis: Puppetry for Children with Disabilities

1. Purpose and Goals:

• Emotional Expression: Puppetry allows children to express emotions in a safe and controlled environment.
• Communication Skills: Enhances verbal and non-verbal communication, especially for children with speech and language impairments.
• Social Interaction: Encourages interaction with peers and adults, fostering social skills and teamwork.
• Cognitive Development: Stimulates creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

2. Materials Needed:

• Puppets: Various types such as hand puppets, finger puppets, and marionettes.
• Stage/Backdrop: A simple stage setup or a designated area for performances.
• Props and Costumes: Simple props and costumes to enhance storytelling.
• Scripts/Storylines: Age-appropriate and inclusive scripts or the freedom to create their own stories.

3. Steps and Procedures:

• Introduction: Explain the activity and its purpose. Introduce the puppets and materials.
• Warm-Up: Engage in simple warm-up exercises to get comfortable with the puppets.
• Story Creation: Encourage children to create their own stories or follow a provided script.
• Rehearsal: Practice manipulating the puppets and delivering lines.
• Performance: Perform the puppet show for peers, teachers, or family members.
• Feedback and Reflection: Discuss the performance, what they enjoyed, and what they learned.

4. Adaptations for Disabilities:

• Physical Disabilities: Use lightweight puppets and adaptive devices to assist with manipulation.
• Visual Impairments: Incorporate tactile elements and descriptive language.
• Hearing Impairments: Use visual cues, sign language, and ensure clear visibility of the puppets.
• Cognitive Disabilities: Simplify scripts and provide step-by-step guidance.
• Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities: Create a calm and supportive environment, allowing breaks as needed.

5. Benefits:

• Emotional Well-Being: Provides a therapeutic outlet for emotions and stress.
• Enhanced Communication: Improves both expressive and receptive language skills.
• Social Skills: Promotes cooperation, turn-taking, and empathy.
• Cognitive Growth: Encourages imagination, storytelling, and sequencing.

6. Challenges and Solutions:

• Engagement: Some children may initially be hesitant. Use familiar and favorite characters to draw interest.
• Coordination: Manipulating puppets can be challenging. Start with simple movements and gradually increase complexity.
• Attention Span: Keep sessions short and engaging, with frequent breaks.

7. Evaluation:

• Observation: Monitor participation, engagement, and interaction.
• Feedback: Gather feedback from children, parents, and educators.
• Progress Tracking: Note improvements in communication, social skills, and emotional expression.

Puppetry can be a powerful tool for children with disabilities, offering a unique way to explore emotions, enhance communication, and build social connections12 (Luen, 2024; Karaolis, 2023).

LARGE SCALE PUPPET ANIMATION

An online search of images of marine or ocean puppets and revealed this amazing, larger- than-life size puppet of Kevan's which takes several people to animate.

Kevan's Octopus Citizen Squid puppet

KINETIC PUPPET ANIMATION

Fabrice Florin posted the Megalodon Shark puppet (below). Megalodon is a giant shark spaceship made of an old bomber fuel tank and found materials, by Nemo Gould. This was part to the 'Perpetual Motion' exhibition. 11 Poetic Automata artists from US brought figures into animated motion through hand cranks and small motors connected to gears, rope, pulleys, and sticks. Read more about Nemo Gould Art.

"Perpetual Motion" image by fabola is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.  Kinetic Sculpture at Heron Arts, San Fransisco.

VIRTUAL PUPPET MAKING

Then I searched online for a 'virtual puppet maker' and came across Puppetry Studio Animator which allows a photograph of a face to be uploaded and turned into a virtual puppet. The voice can be selected from a range of options. The speed of speech and dialogue can be entered, with the words for the puppet to say. 

3D DESIGN AND ANIMATION

Hand-gesture-based interactive puppetry system has potential for encouraging movement for therapeutic fine motor control skill development (Liang, 2017). 

Are the assistive technologies way too easy, or way more difficult than before when puppets were simply fabric toys operated by a hand in a simple puppet theatre? Returning to the key question:  How can puppetry be adapted to support children with unmet needs, disabilities, and health conditions through Occupational Therapy in schools?  

My creative process is tailored to the needs of the individual, family, or community and the resources available in the material world or virtual world. There is still much to explore and experiment with building bridges with people who are interested in collaborating through Creative Communities. 

Considerations are to encourage: 

1. Listening to ideas, locally or internationally, with cultural connections to people and places. 

2. Consulting with stakeholders about what is important to them and what messages can be communicated to improve health and well-being of individuals or at the population level. 

3. Exploring multiple modes and media for a mix of materials that will provide the 'just right' challenge for skill development and relationship building.

4. Harkening back to the history of puppetry and some lost arts in designing and constructing materials.

5. Learning new assistive technologies, digital apps and multi-media.

6. Analysing the puppetry activities with a lens that recognises new possibilities and supporting research and development into the future.

7. Ensuring equitable access and removing barriers to people's participation--realising opportunities for shared leadership and working across disciplinary borders.

8. Inspiring and encouraging the next generation to try new things; leading the way and learning from experience; sharing and discussing new learning; contributing to scholarship and practice frameworks.

Sandra Kirkwood
Occupational Therapist
mobile 0488 624 362

References

Arts Crafts and Ideas Facebook 'Manta Ray' https://www.facebook.com/creative.artcraftsideas

Diya's Fun Play Under Water Habitat Model Construction. https://youtu.be/wyV46FoeED4

Five Little Fish (2017) Jack Hartmann Music Channel on YouTube https://youtu.be/u4_L7CM46M4

Gould, Nemo Art website www.nemogould.com 

Gunnawirra Services, Boomerang Kids Puppets in Video Gallery https://gunawirra.org.au/video-gallery/

Gunnawirra Kids, Nutrition Health video https://youtu.be/R6TLLVrahrE

Gunnawirra Services Research webpage https://gunawirra.org.au/research/

Gunnawirra Services, The Five Big Ideas Program. https://gunawirra.org.au/programs/five-big-ideas/

Hartmann, J. 'Five Little Fish' and other songs https://jackhartmann.com/collections/music-cds

Ipswich Nature Centre 
https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/explore/parks_reserves_precincts/parks_search/ipswich-nature-centre-queens-park 

Karaolis, O. Being with a Puppet: Literacy through Experiencing Puppetry and Drama with Young Children. Educ. Sci. 2023, 13, 291. https://doi.org/10.3390/ educsci13030291

Kevan's Octopus image attributed through Creative Commons from  https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevandotorg/27855109752/

Liang, H., Chang, J., Kazmi, I.K. et al. Hand gesture-based interactive puppetry system to assist storytelling for children. Vis Comput 33, 517–531 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00371-016-1272-6

Kirkwood, S. 'Creative Communities What Does it Mean?' (2007) Poster Presentation at the National Allied Health Conference, Tasmania https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/creative-communities/2387118 

Kirkwood, S. (2012) Doing, being, and becoming more active through playing part in community-based museum scenarios, written for 'Museums at Play' online https://www.academia.edu/915929/Doing_being_and_becoming_more_active_through_playing_part_in_community_based_museum_scenarios

Kullilla Art Shop, Jo & Michael Connolly, online at https://www.kullillaart.com.au/  

Luen, L. C. (2024). The Valuable of Puppetry for Children with Special Needs. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(1), 2289-2298/

Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre https://moretoneec.eq.edu.au/

Moreton Bay Foundation 'Animals in Moreton Bay.' https://moretonbayfoundation.org/moreton-bay/animals-in-moreton-bay/

NAIDOC Week Celebrations Website https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/2024-naidoc-week-theme-keep-fire-burning-blak-loud-and-proud

Phillips, M (1996) The use of Drama and Puppetry in Occupational Therapy in the 1920s and 1930s, The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1996, 50(3), 229-233. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.50.3.229

Puppetry Studio Animator, https://www.puppetry.com/studio/animator

Twinkl Resource on How to Make Sea Creature Finger Puppets https://www.twinkl.com.au/resource/sea-creature-finger-puppets-t-tp-1666942682 

Wikipedia 'Little Theatre Movement' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Theatre_Movement