Puppetools

As homeschoolers, we already tend to  have a different take on education than mainstream education. Creator of Puppetools, Jeffrey Peyton,  shares our vision for not educating in the same mundane way.

What is Puppetools you ask. It is a subscription based website. Where "The Play Professor", aka, Jeffrey Peyton takes you on a journey of learning through play, using puppets as your medium.

If you are teaching in a traditional setting this may very well be revolutionary. As homeschoolers, I believe we have embraced the theory of learning through play. On the website you will find countless patterns for puppets and ideas on how to use them in the classroom. In addition to this, you will find the research and science, in essence, the life's work of Jeffrey Peyton.

Here is the mission statement of Puppetools from their website:

 OUR MISSION is to open the door to sweeping change in education by advancing the principle of play in teaching and learning. The world still looks to America for inventive social, economic, and technological solutions. Once, America's gift to itself --and to the world--was a bold new experiment in political freedom. America's next gift--again for itself and for the world-- can and must be a bold new leap in education. If you believe that the advancement of play both as a practical and theoretical organizing principle represents an innovative path forward, then we welcome your support and participation in our mission.

You may be asking yourself, how will this help our homeschool. If you are a creative person, who already incorporates play and hands on learning, then this website may not be for you. If, however,  you are not creative at all, and you find yourself, strictly the textbook kind of family, then a one year subscription would be worth it for your family. You would have access to forums, articles and videos to help you in your knowledge of learning through play. As well as, the multitude of patterns for puppets.  The price is $20 a year for an individual family. However, where is see puppetools to be the most beneficial would be for Co-ops, Churches, or Private Schools with Homeschooling Programs. There is a special group rate for situations like these. Please visit their website for pricing details.

Now I want to tell you about what transpired with my 9 year old daughter after spending some time on the puppetools website, we had just read the book, "Little Man in the Map" for an earlier review. My daughter and I read the story again, and then my daughter made a puppet of MIM. She made the "Hinge" on her own. And the entire puppet and used it to tell me about the map of the United States.

Check out Puppetools and see if this unique website is a god fit for your family.

Happy Playing!!!