Benefits of Puppet Play

Puppets really engage and delight children. Watching them is in itself a form of art therapy for the audience. In some parts of the world, performances contain a moral message and are watched with deep reverence. Puppet play helps one to achieve greater harmony between the mind, body, and spirit. Of course, the activity has an educational aspect too. Children are often fascinated by puppets and interact strongly with them, which can lead to an overcoming of shyness and fear and greater use of speech. The interaction also encourages concentration and use of the imagination. Psychologists use puppets to help traumatised and abused children to express their feelings. This activity is able to reach deeper, unspoken levels in relationships with others. Sessions can become a form of deeply loving and healing communication. The making and operating of puppets can be a form of serious, carefully thought-out or joyfully spontaneous activity. This also greatly encourages creativity in children.