Hand Puppets

Definition (based on language teaching)

According to (Matthew Bernier and David Rigano, 2018) Hand puppets for teaching are interactive tools used for facilitating the learning process through imaginative play, storytelling, and role-playing.

Reasons for use in Language Teaching

According to Lamb (2017), the use of hand puppets in language teaching has been found to have several positive impacts on students. Research studies indicate that incorporating hand puppets into language instruction can lead to the following effects. Firstly, hand puppets enhance engagement by capturing students' attention and making the learning experience more interactive and enjoyable. This increased engagement can contribute to a more positive and productive classroom environment. Secondly, the use of hand puppets boosts students' motivation to learn and participate in language activities. The presence of a puppet can create a sense of playfulness and novelty, making the learning process more enjoyable for students. Thirdly, hand puppets provide opportunities for students to practice and develop various language skills. Through puppet interactions, students can engage in dialogue, storytelling, and role-playing, allowing them to improve their speaking, listening, and comprehension abilities. Additionally, hand puppets create a non-threatening environment that encourages students to express themselves more comfortably. This supportive atmosphere promotes the development of language skills and helps students overcome shyness or fear of making mistakes. Lastly, hand puppets can be utilized to present stories and narratives from different cultures, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation among students. By using puppets to represent characters from diverse backgrounds, students gain exposure to different cultures and broaden their worldview. Overall, the incorporation of hand puppets in language teaching can have numerous positive effects, ranging from enhanced engagement and motivation to improved language skills and cultural understanding.

Examples

Now we will see some examples of hand puppets made by the authors of this blog.

To see the complete work click on download.