The Power of Puppets!

Brewster alumna Kiersten Hecht, founder of Lilypad Academy, visited with Wells Life Skills students as part of a new puppetry initiative in Life Skills Art. But Kirsten wasn’t alone–she brought with her a wide variety of puppets created for students--especially neurodivergent students. The idea is to help students and staff explore how puppetry can support communication, creativity, and social-emotional learning. Did Wells students explore communication, creativity and social emotional learning? Yes, and they had a great time doing it!

"This project was born from classroom experience, lived neurodivergent perspective, and a belief that early support can change everything," said Hecht.

The visit is part of a larger puppetry project developed by art teacher Megan Nalcerio through grants awarded by the Brewster Education Foundation and the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Fund for Excellence in Education. Inspired by research from the Yale Child Study Center and the Jim Henson Foundation, students have been actively creating real puppets in the Art Room, including hand puppets, marionettes, and even a puppet theater complete with painted backdrops. Using a wide variety of materials and newly acquired adaptive art supplies funded through the grants, students are exploring hands-on techniques that support creativity, fine motor development, collaboration, and self-expression. The project gives students meaningful opportunities to bring their ideas to life through storytelling and performance throughout the school year.

During the visit Kirsten and her puppets interacted with students and staff to create a lively and safe environment. Through gentle stories, songs, and inclusive characters, Kirsten and her puppets focused on real readiness skills like communication, routines, self-care, and social-emotional learning and even danced!