Trisha Whitney
Published: 1999
Total Pages: 0
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Storytelling with persona dolls (dolls that are given names, family histories, and other traits by teachers) is a powerful tool for teaching classroom and social skills, giving children words for and tools to manage their feelings, developing problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills, expanding children's comfort with difference, undoing stereotypes and biased information, and helping children learn to stand up against bias. This book presents to teachers of young children from toddlers through the primary grades methods for using persona dolls. Each of the "Kids Like Us" doll stories can serve as a way to help children deal with common problems, conflicts, and developmental issues. The author outlines five steps for using persona dolls: thinking, identifying feelings, discussing, putting themselves into the doll's place, and problem solving. Practical tips are provided for creating characters, inventing stories, and working with children in a group. Appendix A includes sample forms for getting started with persona dolls. Appendix B includes sample features for the dolls. Includes a resources list of dolls and doll-making supplies, stores, books, and Web sites. (GCP)