Pretending our Way to Spanish: A Puppetry Post

It seems crazy to think that puppets date all the way back to 3000 BC. But there’s a reason they survived this ever-changing and techy world. Puppets are generally easy to make and obtain, and they radiate magic and imagination. They are quick to feel true to life with their varied personalities, interests and talents. In the silliest of voices, puppets tell stories, ask questions and create entire worlds and adventures. But for adults, we tend to overlook the mystical powers puppets have over kids. 

I remained pretty oblivious to puppets’ effectiveness until COVID hit and my Zoom-class enrollment soared.  I admit that I did have a few props that spoke to our in-person students, but I should have realized then just how much more those lessons stand out versus lessons without characters. Students continuously ask after puppets as if they are asking about friends. Looking at puppets as an adult, I thought students would immediately label puppets as “uncool,” but once I introduced a puppet for a brief segment (“The Days of the Week” song) with our puppet, Dino, that’s when I realized how much I could accomplish both academically and imaginatively. My lessons became far more captivating, well-rounded and desirable when I was on screen interacting with a dog or a duck than when I interacted with kids alone. And the puppets' lack of knowledge or silliness is what inspires my students to connect with my material. Now I confidently use puppets through 1st grade and even 3rd grade students ask me to break out old characters that they loved. 2nd grade and onward really love to create their own puppets that teach materials and make their classmates laugh. I notice that as the students present their puppet show, they are more confident with Spanish and with themselves, because everyone has their eyes on the puppets and not the students.  

Today my inexpensive props and puppets metamorphosis into lively and dutiful dummies whether I am working digitally or in-person.  I never hesitate to intertwine puppet stories and personalities into my language content. And I urge you to use puppets at home and in your classroom too as they are also proven to teach empathy, socialization skills and help with cognitive development! So what are you waiting for?! New friends await!