100% found this document useful (1 vote)
9 views3 pages

Puppet Script: Managing Anger for Kids

Uploaded by

Kaitlyn Francis
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
100% found this document useful (1 vote)
9 views3 pages

Puppet Script: Managing Anger for Kids

Uploaded by

Kaitlyn Francis
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PUPPET SCRIPT FOR SHORT FUSE

SHORT FUSE BLOWS HIS TOP

This script is written to help children come to terms with the problem of
un-controlled temper and to realize that friendships can often suffer.

Puppets
Lisa Jane A girl puppet
J J Mellieha A boy puppet
Short Fuse A puppet constructed like a firework
I have constructed Short Fuse to link to a fog machine. This way he really
smokes.

Lisa Jane J. J. have you seen Short Fuse lately?

J.J. He seems to be here, there and everywhere Lisa, but he


never makes any real, good friends. You know, the kind
of friends that really stick with you, just like you and me.
We have been friends for ages.

Lisa Jane Do you know what’s wrong J.J.? I really worry about
Short Fuse, he always seems to be getting real mad and
upsetting people.

J.J. That’s just it Lisa Jane, Short fuse knows how to get mad,
but he really has no idea as to how he can control his
emotions. You only have to ask him to do something, and
if he doesn’t want to, then… WOW! BAM! CRASH! he
blows his top.

Lisa Jane Do you think there is any way we can help Short Fuse to
become a nicer puppet?

J.J. I really don’t know Lisa, he just wont try to change, he


would be so much happier if he would just control his
temper……quiet! I can here him coming.

Short Fuse arrives on stage

Lisa Jane Hi! Short Fuse, how are you today?


Short Fuse I’m fine Lisa; it’s just that everybody gets me going. I
just can’t do whatever I want to do. Someone always
interferes. Anyway, I want something to eat, I’m hungry.

Lisa Jane J.J. and I are going to the snack bar in about half an hour,
do you want to come with us?

J.J. That would be real cool; we could have some chocolate


and strawberry ice cream.

Lisa Jane And we could……..

Short Fuse Interrupts

I want my food now not in half an hour. SHOUTING


When I say I want something, then I mean I want
something NOW!

J.J. But Short Fuse, we were just trying to be friendly.

Short Fuse NO! go away and leave me alone. You’re just being bossy
and ordering me around.

Short Fuse starts to smoke

Short Fuse You are making me angry, I’m going to find some other
friends, good friends, not like you lot, all bossy.

Short Fuse leaves the stage

Lisa Jane I don’t know J.J. what can we do to help Short Fuse?

J.J. Well, you know Lisa Jane, we are puppets and we only
act like we do because there is someone inside working
us, but I have heard that real children are sometimes just
the same as Short Fuse.

Lisa Jane You’re right J.J. I’ve seen boys and girls get so mad that
they lose their friends. Then they try to blame their
friends because they got mad.
J.J. Well, how can we help them Lisa?

Lisa Jane Hopefully J.J. they will be able to see they are just like
Short Fuse. Then, they need to be really honest with
themselves and know they have a problem.

J.J. That’s a good start, but then what?

Lisa Jane Then they need to talk to someone who understands how
they feel. Perhaps a nice teacher or a good friend, J.J.
Most boys and girls know when they are going to blow
their top and so they need something to remind them,
before it happens.

J.J. Wow! I’ve got an idea. If they put a really loose elastic
band around their wrist, then they can give it a quick
twang when they feel they are about to blow their top.
That will help them to stop, just in time.

Lisa Jane You know J.J.? I really do want to see boys and girls
having good friends that stick with them. I’m going to ask
these children if they would like someone to talk to,
someone who really cares about them and wants to help
them.

J.J. Sometimes children find it hard to talk to an adult, Lisa,


but they love to talk to one of us puppets.

Lisa Jane Talking to children


There are some puppet friends of ours who really
understand, and are often helping children with lots of
things. If you would like to talk to a teacher, or one of our
puppets, then all you have to do is ask. Don’t be like
Short Fuse and keep blowing your top. Remember, he
lost his friends because he got so mad. You can keep
yours.

An adult should then round up by providing the


opportunity for the children to talk.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The puppet show serves as an engaging and relatable way to discuss emotional management among children. Puppets can convey important lessons in a non-threatening manner, allowing children to see their own behaviors reflected back in a safe environment. This method encourages children to empathize with characters like Short Fuse and consider their own emotional responses without feeling directly criticized .

Children can be encouraged to communicate by creating a trusting environment where they feel comfortable talking about their emotions. The script suggests that knowing there are empathetic figures—be it adults or puppets—available to listen without judgment can motivate children to open up. Additionally, presenting these options in a friendly and approachable manner, possibly through engaging mediums like puppet shows, can further facilitate open dialogue .

The narrative proposes that children maintain friendships by being honest with themselves about their emotional struggles and seeking help. It emphasizes communicating with understanding individuals, such as teachers or friends, and using practical tools, like a wrist elastic band, to prevent outbursts. By controlling temper and communicating openly, children can preserve and strengthen their friendships .

The metaphor of a "puppet" is used to illustrate that, just like puppets are controlled by someone inside them, individuals can be influenced by their emotions. The story implies that people can sometimes feel out of control, similar to how puppets act if not guided properly. Introducing the idea of real children behaving like Short Fuse highlights the importance of finding ways to manage emotions proactively .

J.J. suggests that children use a simple, practical tool such as a loose elastic band around their wrist. By twanging the band when feeling an outburst is imminent, children receive a physical reminder to stop and reconsider their emotional response. This helps in breaking the immediate cycle of anger and can prevent outward expressions of temper .

The dialogue emphasizes that acknowledging one's emotional problems is vital for initiating change. Recognizing that there is an issue, as suggested by the characters, is the first step towards self-improvement and emotional management. Without this self-awareness, individuals are unlikely to seek help or develop strategies to control their temper, which is necessary for maintaining healthy relationships .

According to the document, external representations like puppets provide a safe, approachable medium for children to express and understand their emotional problems. Puppets act as intermediaries that can communicate lessons and offer a sense of connection without the pressure that might come from adult interactions, enabling children to open up more readily about their feelings .

The narrative underscores that talking to "someone who cares" is crucial for children to better understand and manage their emotions. Such individuals can offer guidance, empathy, and strategies to handle emotional challenges effectively, thereby preventing the loss of friendships and promoting mental well-being .

The characters suggest several strategies to help individuals like Short Fuse manage their emotions. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness and honesty about one's emotional issues. Talking to someone who understands, such as a teacher or good friend, is recommended. They also propose using a physical reminder, like a loose elastic band around the wrist, to prevent emotional outbursts by stopping oneself just in time .

The main issue faced by the character Short Fuse is his inability to control his temper, which leads to frequent outbursts of anger. This impacts his relationships negatively, as it causes him to alienate others and makes it difficult for him to maintain friendships. Short Fuse often feels that others are being bossy or interfering with his desires, which contributes to his emotional reactions .

You might also like