ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the therapeutic and educational value of puppets, detailing their various psychological and behaviour management functions. Many children are naturally drawn towards puppets and engage spontaneously in projective expression through them. The powerful impact of using puppets in educational and therapeutic settings is illustrated using clinical vignettes. Puppets provide children with an acceptable, developmentally appropriate, means of releasing fears, aggression and frustration. Puppet play is effective in helping children to identify and discuss their worries and fears, fostering and promoting social and emotional development. Puppets were first promoted in therapeutic work with children by Woltmann. He proposed that puppets were useful in therapy, not only because they facilitate self-expression but also because they provide children with opportunities for spontaneity and are easily manipulated. Puppets foster and develop verbal and non-verbal communication. The practice of developing tailored puppet profiles is particularly relevant in the psycheducational component of any intervention, whether this be therapeutic or educational.
