Shadow puppets
Jump start | Looking at learning together | Shadow puppets | Family Learning Information Pack
What is Shadow Puppets?
Shadow Puppets is the Pre-school Learning Alliance's oracy based programme which offers parents and children a way of developing children's language skills through creative activities using the media of music, singing, movement and dance, story and puppetry.
What does it offer?
A programme of 6 sessions which are designed to develop language through social interaction using creative activities. In addition, parents and children taking part are invited to create their own puppets, with which to practise everyday interactions and responses.
Each activity includes some of the components of language acquisition, such as: building self-esteem and confidence; communication skills; listening; turn -taking; and emotional awareness.
Parent Mentors
The programme also offers the opportunity to develop the role of parent mentor. Parent mentors will be involved in chatting to parents about Shadow Puppets and encouraging them to become involved in the six sessions for parents and children. They will support other parents during the activities and will encourage parents to try out the oracy activities at home.
Framework for learning
Shadow Puppets is offered through a framework for learning:
- a model programme which is based on current language theory
- session outlines to follow or adapt
- opportunities for learning through play
- opportunities for parent-child interaction
- an opportunity for adult development
- an evaluation framework
- a training package to help embed the programme
The benefits to the pre-school
Research shows that greater focus on early language development by parents and carers encourages the development of literacy and communication skills. Speaking and listening are important components for developing literacy skills. This programme provides opportunities for developing those skills through a range of creative media.
Research and consultation for Shadow Puppets highlighted the need for a wide range of developmental and learning requirements to be addressed before literacy skills are acquired. These skills include:
- concentration skills
- listening skills
- ability to sit still for short periods
- spatial awareness
- sound identification and auditory discrimination skills
- emotional development
- turn-taking
- sequencing
- speaking skills
- midline development.
To help meet these diverse needs, an easy to access oracy card index of activities has been provided together with a specially compiled music track.
This is a unique programme, offering a holistic approach to language development, which will meet the needs of a wide range of children and which will give the setting resources to make use of beyond the life of this programme.
As with all Pre-school Learning Alliance family programmes, Shadow Puppets has been designed to build on the strength of the partnership between parent and child.
Why should the setting get involved in the Shadow Puppets Programme
Parents and close adults are a major influence in children's early years, both at home and in the setting. Children's language develops through the familiar everyday predictable routines such as meal times, shopping, bath and dressing time.
However, there is recent evidence to show that where there is language delay, it is likely to be caused by limited exposure to spoken language and opportunities for language use, initially in the home, but also in the nursery. This programme offers opportunities to the setting and the parent to develop skills which will be built up over six weeks, but will be of benefit over a life time.