Hand puppets are a valuable tool in education and psychotherapy. They are often used as a playful and creative medium to explore feelings, thoughts and behaviour. Especially when working with children, but also with adults, puppets can facilitate access to inner conflicts and hidden emotions. Their use can help to strengthen the relationship with the teacher/therapist, overcome fears and open up new ways of communicating.
Puppets offer a way of expressing feelings that children and adults might otherwise find difficult. For example, children tend to communicate certain fears or insecurities through a figure that ‘speaks for them’. This creates a safe distance from their own emotions – which makes it easier to admit stressful topics.
This is because people often find it difficult to verbalise their emotions. Puppets offer an ideal bridge for expressing feelings and then talking about them.
Using a puppet can boost self-confidence, as the puppet often communicates more courageously, honestly and openly than the person themselves. Clients can experience and try out their own strengths and abilities through the puppet, which often leads to positive realisations in the therapeutic process.
This is because hand puppets make it possible to slip into other roles and develop new perspectives. For example, they can take on the role of a parent, a friend or even an enemy and thus view conflicts from a different perspective. The use of a hand puppet can also be helpful for the teacher/therapist to address difficult topics in a playful way.
For many traumatised people, indirect communication via a puppet can have a relieving effect. Traumatic memories are often perceived as threatening and are often difficult to express. Here too, the puppet can suggest and represent the trauma in a playful way and make it easier to process
Many people – especially children – find it easier to talk about their fears with a puppet than directly with the person they are talking to. The hand puppet serves as a kind of mediator here. In the often magical world of children, the puppet is accepted as a messenger and dialogue partner.
Hand puppets help to build a positive bond with the teacher/therapist, which is particularly easy with shy or reserved clients.
The educational/therapeutic work with hand puppets can be used in individual contact and in groups. FOLKMANIS-PUPPETS offers a large selection of different appearances and characters. This means that the selected animal figures can be used to target specific problem areas. For example, an ‘anxious’ doll for a child who struggles with anxiety disorders. Or a dangerous-looking animal to test their own courage. Ultimately, it depends on the individual needs of the person.
Folkmanis hand puppets, particularly the Crocodile and Monkey designs, exemplify the brand’s dedication to crafting high-quality, realistic toys that spark creativity and imagination.
The Crocodile puppet is impressively lifelike, with intricate detailing on its textured, green-scaled fabric and a wide, toothy grin that perfectly captures the essence of this iconic predator. It’s sturdy yet easy to manoeuvre, allowing for smooth and natural movements that make storytelling or playtime incredibly engaging.
Equally delightful is the Monkey puppet, which features soft, plush fur and an expressive face that brings charm and character to life. Its flexible limbs and tail add versatility to its movement, making it an excellent choice for animated performances.
Both puppets reflect Folkmanis’ commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, with durable materials and meticulous attention to detail. These qualities make them not just toys, but long-lasting companions for educational activities, creative play, or cosy cuddles.
