Locally-Created

“Powerful Puppetry” Programs

Say Yes to Helmets

Suggested Grade Levels

3, 4, 5, and 6

Overview

Say Yes to Helmets is one of the newest Kids on the Block programs (developed locally under our Powerful Puppetry umbrella). In Oregon, falls are the number one cause of childhood injury requiring hospitalization, and the second overall leading cause of injury for children under 14. With any fall or accident that jars the head and neck, brain injury can be the devastating result. Kids on the Block/Powerful Puppetry worked with the Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Oregon Health Sciences University/Doernbecher Children's Hospital, people living with disabilities, and disability advocates to develop this powerful show.

The script writer spoke with children with disabilities and families that had experienced head injuries, so the dialogue is sensitive and true to life. Goals of this program are three-fold: preventing accidents that lead to head injuries, promoting understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities, and exploring the meaning of true friendship.  

Script Scenario

This program features two 11-year old best friends, Daniela (Dani) and Keenan. The kids recount the day when Keenan was badly injured while skateboarding without a helmet. He had just received the skateboard, and hadn't had a chance to practice, but he decided to give it a try anyway, choosing to forgo a helmet because he thought it would look "dorky." When Keenan falls into the street and is hit by a car, he suffers a serious brain injury. Keenan shares what it is like to be a kid with a disability. Dani and Keenan talk about their friendship and how it has changed since the accident. Even though Keenan is now different and has some limitations, the two find a way to hold onto their close friendship.

Objectives

• Inform kids about how head injuries can occur.
• Teach kids about what exactly the injury does to brain function, and how the injury affects a person's capabilities.
• Promote consistent helmet use for active play, such as skateboarding, biking and roller-skating outdoors.
• Build awareness about what it feels like to be a kid with a disability, so that non-disabled children will understand and be more inclusive and respectful of their disabled peers.
• Get kids thinking about the value of friendship and how to be a good friend, especially when faced with challenging situations.

Format

This 30-minute program consists of a scripted puppet presentation, followed by a guided question and answer (Q & A) time when the puppets reinforce learning objectives and encourage children to share their questions and concerns. Whenever possible, Kids on the Block will have puppeteers who are disabled themselves present this program and/or lead the post-performance discussion. To extend learning and repeat key lessons, all children receive a Kids on the Block bookmark with the program’s messages, and they are encouraged to write letters or emails to the puppets. To help Kids on the Block improve our programs, teachers are asked to complete a short program evaluation form.

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