The Problem
The Shows
Puppets and Puppetry Style
Suggested Show Donations
Information and Ordering
Transformation Puppet and Story Works, under the
sponsorship of the Mental Health Association of Prince George's County,
Maryland, which is an affiliate and limited licensee of
The Kids on the
Block Incorporated, Columbia, Maryland, USA* recruits and trains
volunteer KOB puppeteers and manages scheduling and performances for the
County Mental Health Association. The Prince George's
The Kids on the
Block program focuses on bullying, school safety, and children's mental
health.
Bullying too frequently leads to violence and crime and this threat
of violence can keep students away from school and school events,
creating a climate of fear within the school. In addition, the stress of
teasing, name calling, social stigma and physical bullying can lead to
severe depression including feelings of worthlessness, sadness, or
hopelessness that can even lead to a child suicide.
The Mental Health Association believes that effective prevention and
intervention strategies can help stop bullying and self-destructive
behaviors, and stimulate positive character development in our children.
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Bullying and School Safety |
Children's Mental Health |
| You're Not The Boss Of Me (for Grades 3-6) |
The Counseling Game (For Grades 4-6) |
| Safe At School (For grades 3-6) |
What's The Problem? (For grades 1-3) |
| Rescue Or Report (For Grades K-2) |
Feelings Are Important (For grades 1-3) |
KOB performances are learner-centered and interactive, illustrating practical and positive strategies children can use to address difficult school problems. They create a safe environment for children to explore and share questions about, and solutions to, issues the puppets face in the skits. Teachers receive resource packets with, activities, a bibliography, and answers to questions children ask about the topic, plus contact information for KOB staff. To help us improve our programs, teachers are asked to complete a short program evaluation form as well.
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The Kids are "hand and rod," wide-mouth puppets from 3 to 4 feet tall. The KOB puppetry style is an adaptation of Japanese Bunraku in which Puppeteers, in black clothes and hoods, stand behind the puppets while manipulating them and are visible to the audience. The puppets capture the audience’s attention; and this presentation style creates an atmosphere in which children feel comfortable asking questions of or making suggestions directly to the puppets.
Since our KOB program is only partially funded by grants, in order to sustain the program, we suggest the following donations:
- $200 - one 30-minute performance with an audience size not to exceed 100, including teachers, leaders, guidance counselor, etc.
- Free: one additional 30-minute performance, the same day.
- $50 - each additional performance beyond the first free performance
For more information and to schedule a KOB performance, or to inquire about becoming a volunteer KOB puppeteer, please contact:
Dotti Seitz, KOB Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 301.927.0503
Email:
dotti.seitz@verizon.net
*©The Kids on the Block, Inc. All puppets and program material are protected by United States and other copyright laws. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. www.kotb.com