Puppets help kids learn important lessons

Puppetry and theatre reigned supreme as the Constable Care Child Safety Foundation arrived in Hedland last week.

Local primary school students were taught about road safety, bullying, protective behaviours and online safety through interactive performances from Tuesday to Friday, June 8.

Performers Andrew Dawson and Hock Edwards used puppets to teach students at Baler Primary, South Hedland Primary, Cassia Education Support and Port Hedland Primary Schools.

“Port Hedland has been lovely, even in a downpour it’s nice and warm, and the reception from the kids has been warm as well,” Edwards, who is on his first regional tour for the foundation, said.

“They really connect with the safety messages and we’ve had some great responses and solutions from the students.”

A road safety message involving children correcting the irresponsible behaviour of their parents was a welcome new addition, Dawson said.

“I think a lot of the time around rural towns, it’s good for kids to be able to talk to remind adults about seatbelts, talking to them at a young age about being responsible,” he said.

“Each year we have a new show so there are constantly new ones for the schools to choose.

“One of our most popular ones is about protective behaviours, about safe and unsafe secrets, teaching kids to speak up if they feel they are in danger or if they feel threatened.”

Constable Care Child Safety Foundation chief executive David Gribble said more than a quarter of in-school programs were delivered outside Perth such as those in Hedland.