Puppets & Storytelling

This is a handout from a workshop I offer on Storytelling with Puppets, but it gains immensely by my demonstrations. In the meantime I hope it helps get you started!

AN ALPHABET OF PUPPETS & STORYTELLING

*Answer & ask questions & riddles

*Be in a story or play as lead character or 1 of many

*Comment on story or poem

*Dress & use props to match theme or holiday

*Express feelings & emotions

*Fingerplays

*Get-acquainted with children, especially if shy

*Hug

*Improvise an audience-created story // Introduce people or other puppets

*Joke-telling

*Kids can make puppets & join you

*Lead group participation

*Mime a story

*Narrate a story

*Offer prizes & rewards

*Play an instrument // Play games // Present "Commercials"

*Quietly sit & listen to program

*Read aloud, including Recite poetry

*Sing // Swallow things // Sign autographs (including pawprints)

*Teach anything (e.g. concepts, library instruction, rules) // Turn the pages in a book // Talk about books

*Use sign language if your puppet is full-fingered

*Vary the mood & pace of a program

*Whisper comments & messages to puppeteer // Welcome audience & end program

*X marks the spot(s) where you do walk-arounds, parades, & promote programs

*Yell & act crazy since the puppeteer is usually quieter

*Zip around & add visual interest