Megan

When to Use Puppets are a research-based strategy for young students who are at-risk, with developmental delay, as well as those without disabilities. They are most appropriate for preschool and early elementary students. They are helpful for teaching appropriate behaviors for students who have a developmental delay, lack social skills, and/or have trouble following rules and directions. Scenarios Pretend Bob Bear breaks a rule and you give him a warning. Pretend he continues to break the rule, so administer the consequence as you would with your students, such as moving their seat for talking. You could have a student who was also breaking the rule move Bob Bear to another seat and explain the rule to him. A student is being disruptive during story time. Say something like, Please show Bob Bear how to have quiet hands and feet. Students are off-task and being disruptive. To reinforce appropriate behavior, say Bob Bear, I like the way you are sitting quietly in your seat. Thank you for following directions. In specials classes such as P.E. or art, Bob Bear can be used to model behaviors and tasks for the students to learn.

Why It Works Young children are motivated to work with others. A stuffed animal class member can provide positive motivation for students and improve their behavior and engagement. Puppets and stuffed animals are versatile, so they can serve whatever purpose best fits your classroom!

Variety of Uses Educating students about disabilities to develop more accurate knowledge and positive attitudes toward students with disabilities Reteach classroom rules Enforce consequences Reinforcing desired behaviors Teaching social skills Teaching in content areas Engaging students in discussion

How to Use Stuffed Animals in Your Classroom Determine your purpose- will he/she reinforce appropriate behavior, reteach classroom rules, assist in teaching subject areas? Choose an animal that is durable and appears friendly. Inform parents you are introducing a stuffed animal to your class and state your purpose, such as to help remind students of appropriate behaviors. Give the puppet an appropriate name such as Bob Bear and introduce him to the class as a new student. Tell the students they are going to teach him their class rules by showing him. Place the animal in a chair or desk among the students and treat him like the other students, as if he behaves appropriately sometimes and inappropriately at other times. Administer reinforcers and consequences as you do with your other students. Collecting Data 1. Determine and define desired behavior (Ex: raising hand, keeping hands to self, on-task). 2. Obtain baseline data on the behavior and set a goal for that behavior. 3. Implement the intervention. Continue recording data. 4. Evaluate effectiveness. Bob Bear Intervention: raising hand to speak during story-time
Baseline Intervention
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8

11 Behavior Frequency 9 7 5 3 1 Days

References Dunst, C. (2012). Effects of puppetry on elementary students' knowledge of and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. International Electronic Journal Of Elementary Education, 4(3), 451-457.

Gee, N. R., Sherlock, T. R., Bennett, E. A., & Harris, S. L. (2009). Preschoolers' adherence to instructions as a function of presence of a dog and motor skills task. Anthrozoos, 22(3), 267-276. doi:10.2752/175303709X457603
Grfenhain, M., Carpenter, M., & Tomasello, M. (2013). Three-Year-Olds understanding of the consequences of joint commitments. Plos ONE, 8(9), 1-12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073039 Hackling, M., Smith, P., & Murcia, K. (2011). Enhancing classroom discourse in primary science: The puppets project. Teaching Science: The Journal Of The Australian Science Teachers Association, 57(2), 18-25. Michael, M., Meese, R. L., Keith, S., & Matthews, R. (2009). Bob bear: A strategy for improving behaviors of Megan Steinhauser preschoolers identified as at risk or developmentally delayed. Teaching Exceptional Children, 41(5), 54-59. Retrieved from http://cec.metapress.com/content/UH43Q5G10M02X761