Puppets in Education Programs

Puppets in Education delivers twenty-four interactive Kids on the Block-Vermont, PiE Vermont and Friend 2 Friend programs to students in grades pre K-12 throughout Vermont and beyond! Our programs include Autism Demystification; Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention; Celebrating Individual Differences; Coping with Crisis; Children’s Mental Health; Healthy Bodies; HIV/AIDS; Keeping Lake Champlain Blue and Clean and Social and Safety Issues.

Kids on the Block-Vermont (KOBVT) Programs and Topics

KOBVT Puppet programs

• Two topics, question and answer sessions and songs
• 60 minutes
• Grades K-4
• 75 students or less

KOBVT Workshops

• Introductory puppet program
• Interactive learning opportunities
• 75 minutes
• Grades 1-8
• 40 students or less

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention
These age-appropriate topics help kids realize how important it is to keep their bodies safe and healthy while sharing important communication and life skills. The programs also teach decision making and refusal skills that can be used in many other areas.

Grades K-3
Medicine Safety

Grades K-8
Tobacco Prevention

Grades 4-8
Making Healthy Choices

Celebrating Individual Differences
In each of these six topics, a puppet with a difference interacts with a peer who models respectful inquisitiveness and the acceptance that comes with knowledge.

Grades K-8
Blindness/Visual Impairments
Cerebral Palsy
Cultural Diversity
Sibling Issues

Grades 3-8
Learning Differences
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)

Children’s Mental Health
These skits explore mental health issues, identify how children can get help through supportive adults and counseling, and explain and normalize the attributes and challenges associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD).

Grades K-8
Depression

Grades 3-8
ADHD

Healthy Bodies
The programs address an emerging area of concern for children and adults alike: Childhood Obesity, Healthy Teeth and Body Image Portrayals by the Media. In an effort to promote healthy attitudes and practices around food, dental habits, exercise and body image, best practices are promoted for children of all sizes and shapes.

Grades K-3
Healthy Snacking
Dental Care

Grades 3-8
Body Image

HIV/AIDS
The dialog in this hour long presentation discusses how HIV is (and is not) transmitted, how one can avoid contracting it, and the difference between having AIDS and being HIV positive.

Grades 5-8
HIV/AIDS

Social and Safety Issues
This group of puppet presentations focuses on building a positive self-image by addressing personal safety and prevention skills, prosocial behaviors, communication skills, family relationships, and how gender roles and perceptions can affect one’s opportunities.

Grades K-8
Bullying Prevention & School Safety
Physical Abuse Prevention
Sexual Abuse Prevention
Copinging with Crisis (Military Families during Wartime)

Grades K-6
Divorce

Grades 3-6
Girl/Boy Stereotypes

Friend 2 Friend Programs-Vermont (F2F) Programs

F2F Autism Demystification Puppet Programs

• One topic: That’s What’s Different About Me, review, Pass the Puppets learning session, and questions and answers
• 60 minutes
• Grades PreK-4
• 40 students or less

F2F Autism Demystification Simulation Game Workshop

• One topic, simulation game, interactive workshop and questions and answers
• 60 minutes
• Grades 4-12
• 75 students or less

Autism Demystification Programs
In this program children are given accurate information about autism (what we call “demystification”) in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner that helps to foster mutually beneficial friendships between children on the spectrum ad their peers. The inclusive model of this program was designed to promote empathy for individuals on the autism spectrum by modeling, labeling, explaining, and normalizing the characteristics of autism, while never singling out an individual on the autism spectrum who may be participating in the program. By normalizing the characteristics of autism, participants are provided with an opportunity for emotional perspective-taking. Empathy can then translate into prosocial behaviors and communication skills.

Puppets in Education is proud to be the first and only U.S. provider of the internationally acclaimed F2F programs!

PiE Vermont Programs

Troubling Times
Supporting children’s mental health following Hurricane Irene

Blue (Keeping Lake Champlain Blue & Clean)
Thanks to funding from The Lake Champlain Basin Program, PiE launched a new program about keeping Lake Champlain “Blue & Clean.” Otto the Otter and his animal friends teach Benny how he can become a steward of the Lake Champlain Watershed.

Through this puppet show, kids learn to:

• Scoop the Poop
• Look for Leaks
• Don’t “P” on Your Lawn (Phosphorus)
• Plant Trees Along the Riverbank

This interactive program debuted at Grand Isle Elementary, Folsom Elementary, Champlain Elementary and Malletts Bay School with rave reviews.

“Very Educational!” Teacher at Folsom School
“This topic is both timely and authentic for their learning.” Troy Nolan-Watkins, Principal Grand Isle Elementary School

Kids on the Block-Vermont is an affiliate and limited licensee of the
Kids on the Block Incorporated, Columbia, Maryland, USA.*
*(c) The Kids on the Block, Inc. All puppets and program materials are protected by United States and other copyright laws. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.