In my diploma thesis, I explored the role of a puppet in children's artistic activities in kindergarten and how does its presence influences their creativity and imagination. I observed children's responses, their experiences and their motivation to create. I also followed their creative process, listened to their ideas and recorded their comments and conversations. This helped me understand the impact of the puppet on children's creativity and motivation during artistic activities.
In the theoretical part I focus on art itself and its importance for individuals, society and preschool education. I describe the field of art in kindergarten, the Kindergarten Curriculum, and the role of preschool teachers. I also present different forms of art activities. In the last chapter, I focus on the use of puppets in the educational process, how children percieve them, how they serve preschool teachers, and I describe the project work with the puppet, through which I conducted the artistic activities.
The practical part includes a description of Nimbraja the puppet and descriptions and reflections of the thirteen artistic activities that took place through Nimbraja's story and her problem, which guided children in their participation and creative work.
The results of the project show that puppets are and invaluable motivational tool that encourages children's creativity and imagination in artistic activities. The children immediately accepted the puppet, admired her, and wanted to help solve her problem.
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