THE USE OF PUPPETRY AS A TOOL FOR STORYTELLING IN THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

This study investigates the use of puppetry as a storytelling tool in children’s theatre, examining its effectiveness in fostering child development and audience engagement. The research is grounded in the growing recognition of the performing arts, especially puppetry, as a medium through which children learn, imagine, and emotionally grow. The study adopted a quantitative research design, utilising structured questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 100 respondents comprising theatre practitioners, educators, and parents/guardians. The aim was to determine the relationship between puppetry and child development, assess its role in engaging young audiences, and evaluate its overall impact on learning and emotional response. Findings revealed that puppetry contributes significantly to cognitive, emotional, and moral development in children. Respondents agreed that puppets simplify complex themes, improve memory retention, and create an interactive and safe environment for learning. Additionally, puppetry was found to capture children’s attention more effectively than other storytelling methods, promoting participation and sustained interest in theatrical narratives. The study concludes that puppetry is not only a tool for entertainment but also a powerful instrument for education and emotional expression in children’s theatre. It recommends the increased integration of puppetry in educational and theatrical settings, investment in practitioner training, and policy support for puppetry-driven programs in early childhood development. The research contributes to the broader discourse on performance as a developmental and pedagogical medium in African and global contexts.