We created a program to teach kids about disabilities through puppetry. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’s Samantha Pastorino introduces the KIDS ON THE BLOCK program and how it instills compassion in kids. On Thursday, fourth graders came together with purpose in the Boyd Elementary School gymnasium to watch a puppet show. It was fun, and everyone was able to express themselves and not be afraid. The KIDS ON THE BLOCK program emphasizes acceptance and empathy, helping kids understand disabilities, diversity and differences. When students with disabilities see us perform, they feel seen and represented. But students without disabilities see the performance and think, “Oh, of course they can do that, they can do amazing things.” In every play, puppets move through different social and emotional learning scenarios. Each puppet represents a different disability and is operated by an actor with the same disability. Puppeteer Christian O’Berry says he never had a program like this. He grew up with cerebral palsy, but seeing the excited and curious faces in the audience makes him grateful to have been a part of the event. Now I feel like I’m so important and that I’m making a difference in people’s lives. It’s what I’ve always loved, influencing people in a positive way. Albery and the other actors say seeing the younger generation ask thoughtful questions makes everything they do worthwhile. I think kindness is at the heart of Kids on the Block. We all need to be kind to each other. We all need to be kind to each other.
WhyArts creates puppet show to teach young people about disabilities
A local nonprofit called WhyArts created a program to teach children about disabilities through puppet shows, which aim to instill compassion in children.
Updated: June 21, 2024 10:26 PM CDT
A local nonprofit called WhyArts created a program to teach kids about disabilities through puppetry. The puppetry aims to instill compassion in kids. “It was fun and it was good because everyone could share themselves and they didn’t have to be afraid,” said fourth-grader McKinley Falker. The Kids on the Block program emphasizes acceptance and empathy, helping kids understand disabilities, diversity and differences. “Students with disabilities feel seen and represented, and students without disabilities who are watching can see that, of course, they can do amazing things,” said Managing Director Kathleen Combs. Every Kids on the Block play features puppets navigating different social and emotional learning scenarios. Each puppet represents a different disability and is operated by an actor with the same disability. Puppeteer Christian Aubary says he didn’t have access to programs like this growing up with cerebral palsy.Seeing the excitement and curiosity on the faces of the audience made him grateful to be there. “I feel like I’m so important and I feel like I’m making a difference in everyone’s lives. Influencing people for better is what I’ve always loved,” Aubery said. Aubery and the other actors said seeing younger generations ask thoughtful questions makes what they do worthwhile. “I think kindness is the backbone of Kids on the Block. We all need to be kind to each other and understand each other,” Combs said. Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
OMAHA, Nebraska —
A local nonprofit called WhyArts created a program to teach children about disabilities through puppetry.
This puppet show aims to instill compassion in children.
“It was fun and I liked that everyone got to share themselves and not have to be afraid of anything,” said fourth-grader McKinley Falker.
The Kids on the Block program emphasizes acceptance and empathy, helping children understand disability, diversity and difference.
“Students with disabilities feel seen and represented, and non-disabled students who see that see and think, of course, they can do amazing things,” Managing Director Kathleen Combs said.
Every Kids on the Block play features puppets moving through different social and emotional learning scenarios, each representing a different disability and operated by an actor with the same disability.
Puppeteer Christian Aubary said he had never been involved in a program like this because he grew up with cerebral palsy, and seeing the excited, inquisitive faces in the audience made him grateful he could now be a part of it.
“It makes me feel so important and like I’m making a difference in everyone’s lives. Influencing people in a positive way is something I’ve always loved,” Aubary said.
Overly and the other actors say seeing younger people ask thoughtful questions makes all their work worthwhile.
“I think kindness is the backbone of Kids on the Block. We all need to be kind to each other and understand each other,” Combs said.
For the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7, click here