puppets

Marionettes
Marionette puppets are medium sized puppets controlled with strings connected to small dowels held by the puppeteer.

Shadow puppets
These are puppets made out of card to be a moveable silhouette that are put between a light and a translucent screen before the crowd.

Finger puppets
Finger puppets are probably the simplest form of puppet available and are usually used to illustrate stories.

Bunraku puppets
Banraku puppets are the traditional form of puppetry in Japan and are thought to be a precursor to the more modern light curtain puppets. They are rather large and controlled by two or three people.

Carnival or body puppets
These are by far the largest puppets and are worn like a costume by one or more people, usually at large social gatherings.

Glove puppets
These are glove shaped puppets worn on the person's hands with the puppets arms controlled with the thumb and baby finger.

Human arm or Two man puppet
This is basically an are length puppet with one or two arms and hands that can be worn by puppeteers.

Light curtain puppets
These are normal are puppets that are used on a stage that is half illuminated and half shrouded in darkness. The puppeteers stand in the darkness dressed head to toe in black velvet and hold the puppets in the light while performing.

Black light puppets
Black light puppets are very similar to light curtain puppets except that the affect is achieved by using only black lights shining on the stage and puppets made with black light dyes.

Ventriloquists dummy
These are one of the most iconic forms of puppet and are controlled by the well known 'hand up the backside' technique. These are mostly used for comedy, notably Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

Water puppetry
These are more accurately known as Múa r%u1ED1i n%u01B0%u1EDBc which is Vietnamese for "puppets that dance on water". Up to 8 puppeteers stand behind a temple facade and control the puppets with long poles.

The origins of puppets are not truly known but the earliest recorded reference is in the form of Chinese shadow puppets.
Most countries have a history of puppets ranging from marionettes in Europe to the animated masks used by African tribes.

Storytelling
Puppets can easily be used to add to a story by representing a character or doing the actions with the children in stories such as the three little pigs.

Physical
Playing with puppets will help children in many different ways, such as fine motor skills and manipulation.

Emotional
Puppets can be a great help with getting shy or quiet children to come out of their shells as children who have trouble talking to an adult may find it easier to talk to a child.

Understanding
Puppets can be used in working through difficult subjects such as the birth of a new sibling by helping children examine their emotions and talk about them with others, usually by projecting them onto the puppets.

Imagination
Large puppets can be used imaginatively in play and role-play by children and also from the teacher maybe taking pictures of the puppets taking part in activities outside of school.

'There's always a puppet that knows less than a child'
Puppets can be used in teaching children by getting the children to teach the puppet what they know. This can also help children who aren't sure of the answers to feel less left out.

Crafts
Children enjoy making things themselves and would find it fun to make and animate their own puppets.

Fun!
Most importantly, puppets are fun! Children will quickly loose interest if their attention is not captured.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Puppets

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppets