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As part of
our mandate to promote an effective and inclusive learning
environment for children with different learning needs, Wings
Learning Center, is partnering with
Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society to bring to the
Bay Area their Children’s Puppet Presentation.
Friend 2 Friend is a British Columbia-based not-for-profit
organization formed in 2002 for the purpose of promoting
understanding, acceptance and mutually rewarding friendships
between children with autism spectrum and related
social-communication disorders and their peers.
Their
Puppet Presentations are a unique and innovative program that
provides autism awareness training and peer education for
children ages 3 to 9.
Friend 2 Friend's presenters use child-size puppets to act
out specifically tailored scripts which focus on differences,
similarities and friendships for children with ASD (Autism
Spectrum Disorder) and their peers.
The 5 key
learning goals of each puppet presentation are to:
1. Recognize and accept difference in ourselves and
others.
2.
Recognize individuals with Differences/ASD as valuable
friends.
3.
Recognize that it is important to ask question and express
feelings.
4.
Empathize with what it feels like to have differences/ASD
5. Promote positive relationships with all children
Our puppet
presentations also include our Seven Friendship Tips which
help to teach children how to interact successfully with their
friends with ASD and related topics such as self-regulating
behaviors, communication styles etc.
An overview of a typical 45 minute Puppet Presentation Program
for children:
1. The
Intro: To begin each puppet presentation we introduce the
presenters, the puppets and theme of the play "how to be a
good friend".
2.
The Puppet Play: (Visual Learning) Each play follows a
script targeting various types of symptoms specific to
children with ASD such as self-regulating behaviors,
communication and stereotypical behaviors. For each behavior
we build awareness by modeling, labeling, explaining and
normalizing each symptom using a fun and entertaining manner
which is age-appreciate and sensitive.
3.
What Did Crystal Learn?: (Auditory Learning) Directly after
the play our lead presenter joins the children on the floor to
review the learning goals in a brief but meaningful question
and answer period.
4. Pass the Puppet Circle: (Tactile Learning) We save the
best for last when we ask the children to form a circle and
give them the opportunity to play with the puppets. During
this time our teacher puppets visit one-on-one with each child
to review the learning goals once again.
5. I'm a Good Friend: We end each session with a reward
for their participation by providing each child an I'm A Good
Friend Sticker.
6. Follow-Up Guide: Each teacher receives a Friend 2
Friend Follow-Up Guide which contains relevant information on
friendship between children with ASD and their peers. It also
contains two original Friend 2 Friend Booklets; "Teachers
Resource Guide" and the "Autism 4 Kids" a take-home booklet
for children.
Please Note: All Friend 2 Friend Programs are inclusive autism
demystification programming therefore we encourage the
participation of all children including those on the autism
spectrum. The word “autism” is mentioned during our puppet
presentation in a sensitive and respectful manner. However,
the focus child (child on the autism spectrum) is never
singled out or identified.
For booking
information in the San Francisco Bay Area contact Fran Goodwin
at
mailto:frangoodwinf2f@gmail.com |
