Construction based research project - shadow puppets in fairytales and children’s theatre

The undergraduate dissertation deals with the construction-based research project entitled Shadow Puppets in Fairytales and Children’s Theatre. By taking active part in each stage of the project, children gain knowledge in a new field and work together with each other and with adults. The project work method is applied, introducing shadow puppetry, dramatisation and theatre to the children step by step, which enable empirical learning through their primary activity: play. By making their own puppets and playing with them as well as through a spontaneous puppet animation, dramatisation and playing theatre, the children acquire vast knowledge in less typical curricular areas of preschool education. The dissertation thus focuses on the role of puppets in different areas of children’s development with the emphasis on explaining the role of puppets in developing children’s language skills and on defining their attitude towards theatre and the art of theatre. On the basis of the evaluation of each project stage, it is concluded that puppets are a very effective means to enhance children’s speaking and language skills. The research has also shown that the use of puppets is a pleasant way for children to acquire new knowledge in different areas of learning, and that children perceive theatre as an important component of the social environment