NOTE: You can only choose this option after contacting us at Puppets for Learning. We’ll work on finding a date to run the training that suits us both. This training can be run over one session, two sessions or three sessions – and arranged at a time of day that suits your staff. Staff can sign in from the centre, from their couch at home – or a combination.
You can even combine this training with other centres to reduce the costs.
You may choose the Pay by Purchase Order option at checkout and we will send you an invoice for payment. If you have a purchase order number that you need us to use PLEASE be sure to let us know. If not, write SRF as your purchase order number.
Using Puppets for Social and Emotional Learning is run by a speech pathologist, Lucia Smith, who has used puppets successfully in her work with children for over 30 years. It consists of 5.5 hours of training (plus 45 mins for breaks). This training package is included on the School Readiness Menu (SRF, Department of Education and Training, Victoria) but is available to any interested individuals (speech pathologists, psychologists, teachers).
What you receive:
- 5.5 hours of training
- A USB – or downloadable link – containing the Social Puppets program and the Social Sam program along with programming sheets, checklists, notes, and loads of other resources relating to social and emotional learning and puppetry.
- Follow-up support via email, phone or Zoom as requested.
- You may choose to also purchase a puppet package of 5 or 6 puppets that complement the training. The Complete Puppet Package includes 6 puppets and includes a Word Bird puppet and egg (used in 4-year-old kinder for developing pre-literacy skills). You can also choose to purchase The Puppet Package WITHOUT Word Bird. Puppets are posted to you prior to the training or brought to you on the day. SRF can be used to purchase the puppets, but you are required to also have at least one educator at your centre doing the training.
- Any questions prior to ordering – just contact our admin@puppetsforlearning.com.au
Throughout the day participants:
- Learn how to use hand puppets in a way that is engaging to children (“making a puppet come alive”)
- Explore the three types of puppet use applicable to the early childhood setting
- Explore theories of emotional intelligence and its development
- Learn how to model emotions using a puppet in order to promote a rich emotional vocabulary
- Learn how to demonstrate emotional regulation using a puppet
- Explore the Social Puppets program and discuss how to implement it within a centre (this is received free with the training)
- Learn about how to use the Social Sam program (this program is provided free along with the training)
- Explore current theories of social development and the levels of social understanding necessary for developing successful peer relationships
- Learn about why children vary in their social and emotional capabilities
- Learn about Theory of Mind, differences in Theory of Mind, and how to promote it using a puppet
- Learn how to set up play-based learning with puppets to further reinforce social and emotional learning
- Learn how to use a calming puppet
- Learn the Tommy Turtle calming strategy (for regulating anger, frustration, etc.)
- Learn how to adapt the above learning to other modes of play and book-sharing
Email admin@puppetsforlearning.com.au for more details!