My Family Puppets: Magazine Cutouts + Popsicle Sticks

Infants build foundations through repetition and responsive interaction.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Assortment of magazines with diverse people and family imagery

Child safe scissors

Glue sticks

Popsicle sticks or craft sticks

A sturdy, flat surface such as a low table or floor mat

A basket or soft fabric bin

Various soft blankets for the infants to sit or lie on

Learning Objectives

Infants will visually track and show interest in the magazine images.

Infants will engage with the sounds and rhythm of the educator's voice as they describe the puppets.

Infants will reach for or touch the puppets when offered.

Infants will demonstrate emergent recognition of familiar faces on the simplified puppets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by exploring magazines with the infants, pointing out different people and faces. Say simple words like "person" or "face."

2. Carefully cut out diverse images of people or family groups.

3. Apply glue to the back of each cutout.

4. Help the infant gently press a popsicle stick onto the glued cutout, creating a simple puppet.

5. Once the glue is dry, present the handmade family puppets to the infants one by one.

6. Hold a puppet up and describe it in a warm, engaging tone. For example, "Look, this is a happy person. Hello, person!"

7. Offer the puppet for the infant to touch or grasp. Encourage them to explore its texture.

8. Place the puppets in the basket. Invite the infants to reach for a puppet from the basket, saying, "Can you find a family friend?"

9. Allow infants to simply look at and explore the puppets lying on the blankets, talking about who they see.

Educator Tip

Ensure all magazine images are free of small, detachable pieces. Keep the cutting station a safe distance from the infants. When offering puppets, be patient and let each infant explore at their own pace. You might choose to create puppets that resemble familiar caregivers or other important people in the infants' home lives to foster a sense of connection.

Assessment

Observe infants' eye contact and facial expressions when presented with the magazine cutouts and the finished puppets. Note any reaching, grasping, or touching behaviours directed towards the puppets. Listen for coos, babbles, or vocalizations made in response to the puppets and the educator's descriptions. Document instances where an infant shows particular interest in a specific puppet.

Educator tip

Keep stimulation low; follow infant cues.

Assessment

Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observe gaze, reach, calm engagement.

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