PINOCCHIO-inspired puppets, complete with glitter and googly eyes, were crafted yesterday as part of the Mount Gambier Library’s bumper school holiday program.
Library children’s services development coordinator Kelly Lynch hailed the puppet-themed program a success with back-to-back booked-out workshops.
“I think personally kids are able to create a distant shield of confidence through a puppet, talking, using different words, articulate and communicate in a unique way,” she said.
“Often we see new words and the children form a developed vocabulary without even realising it.”
Ms Lynch said puppetry was an age-appropriate learning tool for children.
“In last week’s workshop children worked with puppets, learning and practicing a script and then performed a show through our transportable puppet theatre to parents and family,” she said.
“I think it requires a lot of courage and bravery to act but I think the puppet takes away from the child thinking its all on them.
“I did not know how it was going to work but I just trusted in the fact that kids tend to enjoy puppets.”
Ms Lynch said the holiday program would be integrated into the National Simultaneous Story Time event on May 22, which will end with a public puppet performance.
“We are trying to connect and allow the school holiday program to flow in different ways,” she said.
“It is amazing we are able to provide these free workshops which enrich lives with enjoyment.”
