Using Stories and Puppets to Explore Emotions
Stories and puppets give children a safe distance from which to explore big feelings, making emotional topics easier to approach than direct conversation. This workshop shows how to use books, puppets, and simple props to open conversations about feelings with young children. You will leave with practical techniques ready to use straight away, along with a take-home booklet full of ideas.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
Suitable for parents looking for gentle ways to talk about feelings at home, and for early years educators wanting new tools for their story and circle time sessions.
What we cover in the hour
- Why stories and puppets help children process feelings more easily than direct talk.
- How to choose books that open up emotional conversations naturally.
- Simple puppet techniques anyone can use, no performance skills required.
- Using voice, pace, and pausing to deepen engagement during a story.
- Turning a story into a follow-up activity or conversation.
- Adapting stories and puppet play for different ages and group sizes.
What you'll leave with
- A short list of books that support emotional conversations.
- Confidence using a puppet, even with no prior experience.
- Simple prompts to extend a story into deeper conversation.
- Ideas for adapting stories to different ages and settings.
- A take-home booklet with story and puppet activity ideas.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes a book list, puppet play prompts, and follow-on activities for extending emotional conversations after a story.
This workshop is grounded in Aistear's Communicating theme, using stories and props to support children in expressing feelings and ideas.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- Do I need to be good at performing to use puppets well?
- Not at all. The techniques taught are simple and forgiving, and children respond warmly to sincere effort rather than performance skill. This is one of the most reassuring parts of the session for many parents and educators.
- Do I need to buy books or puppets before attending?
- No, examples are shown during the session and the booklet includes a book list you can seek out afterwards. You do not need any resources on the day itself.
- Can this be used with a whole class or room of children?
- Yes, several of the techniques are designed for group settings such as circle time, alongside ideas for one-to-one use at home.
- What age group is this workshop aimed at?
- The ideas suit children from toddler age through to early primary school, with adaptations discussed for different stages.
- Is this a therapeutic approach to storytelling?
- No, this is an educational workshop on using stories and puppets as communication tools, not a therapeutic intervention.
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More in this theme: Behaviour is communication · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
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