Puppets help to teach good manners

Although she has been part of the Manners4Minors programme for only three months, she finds it creates awareness of choosing how to behave.

She heard about the programme a few months ago and decided to give back to the community by teaching kids good manners.

“It is a wonderful programme which was established by founder and director Daleen Taylor in 2007,” says Jenny.

She feels strongly about the way children talk to adults and claims some children’s manners are thrown overboard.

The programme will teach the children good manners and social skills, attitude of willingness to please, respect, empathy, conscience, confidence and acceptance of consequence.

With a lot of patience, Jenny takes on the challenge of working with the puppets Princess Penny, Rodney Rude, Caring Kurt and Boastful Betty.

Each puppet has its own purpose and meaning and the children are eager to learn everything for which the puppets stand.

Princess Penny’s is well-mannered and kind and has many good friends, while Boastful Betty is very bossy and has to be in charge of all games in the playground.

“She brags a lot,” says Jenny.

Caring Kurt is a kind and caring friend, who likes to make friends feel special and get invited to play at his friend’s house often.

But Rodney Rude is a bully and very bad mannered.

He thinks it is cool to be rude and doesn’t have any good friends.

Jenny says the high cost of living has forced both parents to work and the quality of time has diminished.

Therefore, she recommends this course to children aged between three to seven years.

“We visit a school four times a month, which includes 30 minutes of educational lessons during school hours,” she says.

There is also a once-off free bully workshop available.

Anyone interested can contact Jenny on 081 429 5590.