Puppets and interfield connections

The purpose of the thesis is to conduct cross-curricular linking using puppets. The idea is based on a project of KaravankeGeopark in Žitara vas in Austrian Carinthia, which adopted the slogan "It's fun, it's educational and no chore and "Dinosaurs – the extinct life on the Earth". The theoretical part touches on the project, more precisely how it is implemented in Reggio Emilia kindergartens and in Slovenia. It also describes the concept of Regio Emilia kindergartens, which constituted the basis for the project. Special emphasis was given to the teacher's role, child's competences and process and development-oriented play. The thesis provides insight into interfiled connections and various kinds of play as the basic activity of children, and presents the types of puppets and how important they are in the educational process. The empirical part contains the examples from my own practical experience related to gradual learning about dinosaurs and their life, eating habits and characteristics. A pet – a hand puppet dinosaur Piki– was introduced to the group. The children were acquainted with symbolic and theatre play and took part in many other activities based on interfiled connections. The children could gradually learn about new concepts from different perspectives and in different ways, moving from less difficult to more difficult tasks. They were actively involved in the activities in order to enhance their intrinsic motivation and satisfaction, which is the most important element of play, regardless of its type. Keywords: interfield connections, puppets, symbolic play, theatre play