GIVE Center explores puppetry as educational tool

The GIVE Center has just launched Kids On The Block (KOTB), a new program geared towards elementary school students. The program addresses critical issues about disability, medical and educational differences and social concerns among younger children.

KOTB uses puppetry to help build awareness of these issues. Each puppet portrays a disabled child. Mark Riley, one of KOTB’s popular puppets, has Cerebral Palsy. Skits performed with Riley and other puppets are intended to show that a disabled child is really not much different from other children.

By using this technique, children are educated on how to be more tolerant and informed about disabilities. Children with disabilities are also helped by learning how to cope with their physical and mental differences.

The GC&SU chapter of KOTB received a $10,000 grant from the governor to start the program. This money will be used to obtain puppets and to hire professional puppeteers to train members.

Scott George, one of the student leaders of KOTB and a senior art major at GC&SU, said,

“I’ve always wanted to help and teach children. I think this program really raises awareness among younger children that helps them understand that disabled children are just as normal.”

Another KOTB student leader, Autumn Price, a senior criminal justice major, said,

“It’s a great way to give back to the community, especially the younger children. It’s also a great training ground for early childhood, theater and special education majors. Besides, it’s really fun, and you get to meet a lot of new people.”

George and Price, along with other KOTB volunteers, will be performing at local elementary schools this fall. This organization is not time-consuming and no experience is required to be a puppeteer.

“We have a place for anyone who would like to donate their time as a puppeteer or in another area not involving puppets,” George said. “It really makes a difference”.

There will be mandatory meetings on September 16 and 17 at the GIVE Center.

For more information about Kids On The Block Program, visit www.kotb.com or contact Autumn Price at autumn_price@bobcat.gcsu.edu or Scott George at (770) 317-2772.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 9 2005. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry