Melbourne Puppet Kerfuffle Fun at Aspire Deanside Village
Aspire Deanside Village was abuzz with excitement for an exciting incursion with Melbourne Puppet Kerfuffle! This travelling puppet show both entertained and educated the children about all kinds of animals.
The children squealed with delight as our new puppet friend Calvin appeared on the stage. He was then joined by his green puppet friend Bruce, which made them even more excited! The puppets burst into a few favourite animal-themed songs. The children all had a ball singing along to “Old MacDonald Had A Farm”.
After that, everyone’s favourite gameshow, “Who’s That Animal?” started! The children were invited up to spin the wheel to choose an animal. Then, they had to guess the animal’s sound and name. It engaged the children in the storytelling in a fun and interactive way.
We then had a story time with the classic children's book "There's A Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake" with permission from author Hazel Edwards. The children laughed along as they listened to the story. We loved hearing about the adventures of this little girl and the mysterious, and silly, hippopotamus.
At the end of the show, puppeteers Rob and Chris, explained how the puppets work. They showed how the rod-style puppetry of Calvin worked, and gave the children an opportunity to move his arm with the rod. Then, they showed how Bruce worked, with one hand in the mouth of the puppet, and the other operating his hand, like a glove. This helped alleviate any uncertainty that some children may have felt, and gave an inside look into how puppets work!
Puppet shows in early education and care settings offer rich learning experiences for all learners. They capture children's attention and spark their imagination, encouraging creative thinking and storytelling. Puppetry promotes language development, enhancing vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills. It also supports social-emotional learning, as children explore different perspectives and emotions through the puppet characters. Puppet shows can reinforce key concepts and support curriculum themes, making learning fun and memorable. Additionally, puppet shows provide a safe, engaging way to discuss sensitive topics, helping children build confidence and resilience.
Vacancies are currently available at Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten Deanside Village. If you’d like to learn more or explore the centre on a guided tour, click the links below.
