How to Tell Stories with Puppets - Marie Wernham
Channel: Act2gether
Date: 2020-07-21

Puppets are fun. Puppets appeal to all ages. Puppets are a great way for children and adults to learn about important messages and then share these with others. Puppets are good at educating as well as entertaining, which makes them a really effective, creative and memorable way to communicate. There are different types of puppets: finger, glove, hand, shadow, rod and string – each with strengths and limitations. Many cultures have a long tradition of storytelling with puppets, going back centuries. In more recent decades, puppets have been used to spread important messages between communities about development and human rights. 

Are you new to puppets? No problem! Come and learn some of the basics to help get you started.

Do you already play and/or work with puppets? Great! Use this workshop to check that you’re making the most of your puppet possibilities, and refresh your understanding of important things to remember.

This workshop will show:
— Why puppets are so great…at communicating sensitive issues, breaking down barriers, and making us laugh and reflect.— Things we need to be careful about (be sensitive: respect the power of puppets!)
— How to make simple puppets with minimal or no materials.— The pros and cons of different types of puppets.— How to manipulate different types of puppets.
— How to develop key messages and integrate these effectively into your puppet stories.
— How to stage a puppet show (live or recorded).

The workshop will be presented by two puppets. Bella Bird will introduce activities that can be enjoyed by even very young puppeteers - although they may need help to guide them - like making puppets and developing simple stories. Felix Fox will present material for older children, young people and adults who are interested in using puppets to promote collaboration between generations for a fair and sustainable world.

---------
ARTS Recorded Workshop 3
----------
Head [1] . Heart [2] . Hand [3]

Children and Adults will learn:
— [Relate] Work together on a practical puppet project, taking joint decisions and sharing tasks, whilst having fun; understand how puppets can help communicate sensitive issues between generations.
— [Dream] Let go and be creative. Explore and be inspired by new and creative ways to work together between different generations. 
— [Identify issues / Take action] Think more strategically about how to craft messages in relation to ACT2gether priorities, and then how to convey these messages via the medium of puppetry.

----------
TO KNOW MORE
----------
CREATE: Child Rights Evaluation, Advice & Training Exchange
www.createsolutions.org

----------
ABOUT MARIE WERNHAM
----------
Marie Wernham is an international child rights consultant specialising in training, policy development, advocacy, research and evaluation. She has worked in over thirty countries, with children, NGOs, UNICEF and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Marie has a Masters degree in human rights and a Graduate Certificate as an Arts Facilitator (working with children and families through creative arts and play). She is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and a strong believer in the power of play, fun and creative communication to inspire children and adults to make the world a better place. Marie used to live on a boat, and she really likes dogs.

==========
ABOUT ACT2GETHER
==========
This recorded workshop is part of "Learning 2gether", the final strand of the 2getherLAND Online campaign. It gives knowledge and practical skills to help children and adults be better partners in different spaces: home, school, community, nature.

Part of ACT2gether - an initiative spearheaded by the Learning for Well-being Foundation
www.act2gether.com
www.learningforwellbeing.org