Abstract:

This paper explores the innovative potential of puppet theater as a specific tool within Arts Education, focusing on the development of social skills and the promotion of inclusion. The author integrates artistic practice with methodological procedures rooted in the rich tradition of children's puppetry, which was significantly developed in Slovakia and the Czech Republic during the 1970s and 1980s. The objective is to transform these historical experiences into a modern concept that addresses the current needs of diverse children's groups and the dismantling of social or age-related barriers.

Theoretically, the paper relies on the concept of the puppet as a "third object." This element functions as a safe communicative mediator, allowing children to project their emotions and attitudes onto the puppet, thereby reducing social anxiety and the fear of direct self-expression. In a creative learning environment, the puppet is not merely an aesthetic object but a key to facilitating interpersonal relationships and building empathy.

Given the artistic-pedagogical focus of the contribution, the author emphasizes qualitative reflection and the analysis of methodological procedures in puppet-based work rather than quantitative measurement. The text describes specific dramatization techniques and collective creation processes that naturally stimulate social interaction and cooperation. The result is the presentation of a methodological framework demonstrating how the integration of traditional art forms into contemporary education can contribute to creating an inclusive environment and developing emotional intelligence. The paper offers an inspiring perspective on how the art of puppetry can serve as a bridge between generations and various social groups within the educational process.

Keywords:

Puppet theater, Arts Education, social skills, inclusion, intergenerational learning, puppet as a mediator, puppetry tradition.