Abstract:

Puppetry has historically occupied a significant role in Greek early childhood education; however, its pedagogical value at higher educational levels remains underexplored. This study investigates a novel approach to learning by examining the effects of the PuppetIntegrate training program on teachers' attitudes, perceptions, and professional development regarding puppetry as a tool for creative learning and social inclusion. Employing a pre- and post-training design with both quantitative and qualitative data, the research sheds light on shifts in educators' comprehension of puppetry's diverse functions and multifaceted roles in communication, emotional expression, co-creation, and intercultural education.

Initially, the majority of educators — all 63 participants- regarded puppetry mainly as an artistic or expressive pursuit. However, it became clear that the puppet holds multifaceted value. Following the training program, participants developed a more nuanced appreciation for puppetry's potential for inclusive pedagogy, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. The findings reveal considerable growth in teachers' confidence, perceived pedagogical value, and intentions to integrate puppetry into daily classroom activities. Educators recognised puppetry as a versatile, semi-autonomous communicative medium that supports vulnerable learners, fosters symbolic play, and strengthens interpersonal relationships within the classroom. Participants reported noticeable improvements in student collaboration, emotional expression, and engagement when puppetry was woven into educational experiences.

This study underscores the need for structured, arts-based professional development to equip teachers better and broaden their pedagogical approaches. The results demonstrate that puppetry can serve as a catalyst for creating equitable, engaging, and collaborative learning environments across educational sectors, providing unique benefits for inclusion and creativity-driven practices.

Keywords:

Puppetry, Creativity, Inclusion, Arts Education, Professional development.