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PUPPETS ALSO MAINTAIN ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!
In the same way that music gets the children
involved and keeps them engaged from one
session to the next, the use of puppets keeps
them focused throughout each class!!!!!!!!!!!!

The employment of multi-cultural puppets reflects
the ethnic diversity that is prevalent in many areas.

Racial and gender stereotyping are automatically
transcended by the arbitrary shuffling of roles that
the puppets act out for the children.

Children love puppets, and infusing humor into
the puppet skits not only draws their interest, but
also helps to substantially lighten the content while
still getting important messages across to them.

Here are just a few examples of puppet lessons:
        ~BULLYING SCENARIOS~

     "Harnessing Your Resources"
The children learn that if you are confronted with a
bully who is bigger then you, or who you do not
feel that you can handle on your own, that you are
not being a "tattletale" to get some help. In fact,
by calmly warning the bully that you are about to
go get help, you are not giving them what they are
looking for (fear & intimidation) and they will lose
interest in you. The children are taught that asking
for help when you feel physically threatened is no
more being a "tattletale" then if an adult is feeling
threatened and goes to the police. You are only
empowering yourself with available resources.

      "Not Being Bossed Around"
Another more subtle form of bullying is when one
child is forcing their will upon another by constantly
and aggressively telling them what to do. Children
are taught how to calmly stand up for themselves
and not tolerate this behavior. They are taught that
if they let people "walk on them", they always will.

        "Recognize Real Danger"
In certain situations that a child may stumble upon
there may be more serious threats of danger. The
children are taught to not hesitate to turn and run
away if they sense that this is the case! Although
not really a bully scenario, commentary is added
here on the topic of "unsafe adults" and the types
of ploys they specifically are known to use to get
children to come close to their vehicles.

RESIST, BREATHE, CALM & THINK

The puppets act out quite a wide variety of
situations in which they deal with a very diverse
assortment of conflict. Sometimes they make the
right choice, and sometimes not! When they make
a bad decision the consequences are clearly shown.
After every "bad decision skit" the puppets
show the same situation using the RESIST,
BREATHE, CALM & THINK method. Then the
positive outcome is clearly shown, in terms that
the children can understand and relate to.

THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT TOPICS ARE
ALSO COVERED WITH PUPPET ROLE-PLAYS:

* Having the courage to "walk away"
rather then resorting to violence

* Not "misdirecting" anger

* Not "bottling feelings", discussing what's
wrong with constructive communication

* Taking responsibility and apologizing
when you are in the wrong

* Giving and receiving respect

      LEARNING HOW TO BREATHE!!!
Children are told to breathe to calm down, but that
would mean very little if they weren't taught how to
do this effectively. The children are shown a very
simple breathing/relaxation technique that they will
be able to draw upon when they really need it.

       The Four Class Format
The School Peacemaker program utilizes a unique
four class format for it's maximum impact! Rather
then just hosting one "assembly" for 200-300
children, we provide four consecutive classes (once
a week, for a month) in a normal size classroom
(20-30 children). Obviously, interacting on this
scale allows us to develop a stronger bond with
each group. This sustained connection allows us to
share a much greater quality as well as quantity
of useful information with the children.

                                           (c) 2006 David William Shaman