Effects of puppetry on elementary students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities
Keywords:
Elementary Students, Puppetry, Knowledge, Attitudes, Individuals with DisabilitiesAbstract
Findings from two studies investigating the effects of Kids on the Block (KOB) puppet shows on
elementary school students’ knowledge of and attitude toward individuals with disabilities are
described. KOB is a troupe of life-size hand-and-rod puppets used to improve knowledge and change
attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Results from both studies indicated that KOB performances
had positive effects on both the knowledge and attitudes of second, third, and fourth grade students.
Study 1 showed that the puppet show participants had more positive attitudes and more accurate
factual knowledge of individuals with disabilities compared to the control group participants who did
not experience the KOB puppets. Findings from Study 2 showed pretest-post test gain scores for the
KOB group were larger than those for the control group. The results taken together provided evidence
that a rather simple intervention was effective in terms of changing the knowledge of and attitudes
toward individuals with disabilities.
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References
Aiello, B. (1988). The Kids on the Block and attitude change: A 10-year perspective. In H. E. Yuker (Ed.),
Attitudes toward persons with disabilities (pp. 223-229). New York, NY: Springer.
Baker, C., Rude, H., Sasso, G. & Weishahn, M. (1994). Enhancing rural students' attitudes toward peers
with disabilities: A comparison of interventions. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 13(2), 34-40.
Retrieved from http://acressped.org/publications
Baker, V. A. (1991). Changing attitudes of children in grades three to six towards persons with disabilities
via the "Kids on the Block" program. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Wilfrid Laurier University,
Ontario, Canada. Retrieved from http://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/604/
Bernier, M. & O'Hare, J. (Eds.). (2005). Puppetry in education and therapy: Unlocking doors to the mind and
heart. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.
Binkard, B. (1985). A successful handicap awareness program--run by special parents. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 18(1), 12-16.
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Donaldson, J. (1980). Changing attitudes toward handicapped persons: A review and analysis of
research. Exceptional Children, 46, 504-514.
Favazza, P. C. & Odom, S. L. (1997). Promoting positive attitudes of kindergarten-age children toward
people with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 63, 405-415. Retrieved from
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications2/ExceptionalChildren/default.ht
m
Flem, A., Moen, T. & Gudmundsdottir, S. (2004). Towards inclusive schools: A study of inclusive
education in practice. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 19, 85-98.
Garcia, M. A., Diaz, A. L. & Rodriguez, M. A. (2009). A review and analysis of programmes promoting
changes in attitudes towards people with disabilities. Annuary of Clinical and Health Psychology, 5,
81-94. Retrieved from http://institucional.us.es/apcs/
Gilfoyle, E. M. & Gliner, J. A. (1985). Attitudes toward handicapped children: Impact of an educational
program. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 5(4), 27-41. doi:10.1080/J006v05n04_03
Hazzard, A. (1983). Children's experience with, knowledge of, and attitude toward disabled persons.
Journal of Special Education, 17, 131-139. doi:10.1177/002246698301700204
Hazzard, A. P. & Baker, B. L. (1982). Enhancing children's attitudes toward disabled peers using a multimedia
intervention. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 3, 247-262. doi:10.1016/0193-
3973(82)90018-1
Hutzler, Y., Fliess-Douer, O., Avraham, A., Reitner, S. & Talmor, R. (2007). Effects of short-term awareness
interventions on children's attitudes toward peers with a disability. International Journal of
Rehabilitation Research, 30, 159-161. doi:10.1097/MRR.0b013e32813a2eb6
Kids on the Block Inc. (2012). About The Kids on the Block puppets. Retrieved from
http://www.kotb.com/kob2.htg/style.html
Leggett, K. (2005). Puppets teaching children around the world. In M. Ritter (Ed.), Explorations.
Washington, DC: Voice of America.
Lipsky, D. K. & Gartner, A. (1996). Inclusion, restructuring, and the remaking of American society.
Harvard Educational Review, 66, 762-796. Retrieved from
http://www.hepg.org/main/her/Index.html
Lockhart, R. C., French, R. & Gench, B. (1998). Influence of empathy training to modify attitudes of
normal children in physical education toward peers with physical disabilities. Clinical Kinesiology,
52, 35-41. Retrieved from http://www.clinicalkinesiology.org/
Maras, P. & Brown, R. (2000). Effects of different forms of school contact on children's attitudes toward
disabled and non-disabled peers. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 70, 337-351.
doi:10.1348/000709900158164
Nelson, C. M. (2000). Educating students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in the 21st century:
Looking through windows, opening doors. Education and Treatment of Children, 23, 204-222.
Nowicki, E. A. & Sandieson, R. (2002). A meta-analysis of school-age children's attitudes towards
persons with physical or intellectual disabilities. International Journal of Disability, Development and
Education, 49, 243-265. doi:10.1080/1034912022000007270
Pitre, N., Stewart, S., Adams, S., Bedard, T. & Landry, S. (2007). The use of puppets with elementary
school children in reducing stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness. Journal of Mental Health,
16, 415-429. doi:10.1080/09638230701299160
Rosenbaum, P. L., Armstrong, R. W. & King, S. M. (1986a). Children's attitudes toward disabled peers: A
self-report measure. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 517-530. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/11.4.517
Rosenbaum, P. L., Armstrong, R. W. & King, S. M. (1986b). Improving attitudes toward the disabled: A
randomized controlled trial of direct contact versus Kids-on-the-Block. Journal of Developmental
and Behavioral Pediatrics, 7, 302-307. doi:10.1097/00004703-198610000-00005
Salisbury, C. L. & Smith, B. J. (1991). The least restrictive environment: Understanding the options.
Principal, 71(1), 24-27.
Schumacher, J. M. (1998). The effectiveness of the Kids on the Block program in increasing children's
knowledge of and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. Unpublished doctoral dissertation,
University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE.
Scior, K., Kan, K.-Y., McLoughlin, A. & Sheridan, J. (2010). Public attitudes toward people with
intellectual disabilities: A cross-cultural study. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 48, 278-
289. doi:10.1352/1934-9556-48.4.278
Shapiro, A. H. (2000). Everybody belongs: Changing negative attitudes toward classmates with disabilities
(1st pbk. ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Snart, F. & Maguire, T. (1986). Using puppets to increase children’s knowledge and acceptance of
handicapped peers. Canadian Journal for Exceptional Children, 3, 57-59.
Snart, F. & Maguire, T. (1987). Effectiveness of the Kids on the Block Puppets: An examination. British
Columbia Journal of Special Education, 11, 9-16.
Thompson, B. (1999). Improving research clarity and usefulness with effect size indices as supplements
to statistical significance tests. Exceptional Children, 65, 329-338.
Vacha-Haase, T. & Thompson, B. (2004). How to estimate and interpret various effect sizes. Journal of
Counseling Psychology, 51, 473-481. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.51.4.473
Voeltz, L. M. (1980). Children's attitudes toward handicapped peers. American Journal of Mental
Deficiency, 84, 455-464.
Yell, M. L. (1995). Least restrictive environment, inclusion, and students with disabilities: A legal
analysis. Journal of Special Education, 28, 389-404.
Yuker, H. E. (Ed.). (1988). Attitudes toward persons with disabilities. New York, NY: Springer
Attitudes toward persons with disabilities (pp. 223-229). New York, NY: Springer.
Baker, C., Rude, H., Sasso, G. & Weishahn, M. (1994). Enhancing rural students' attitudes toward peers
with disabilities: A comparison of interventions. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 13(2), 34-40.
Retrieved from http://acressped.org/publications
Baker, V. A. (1991). Changing attitudes of children in grades three to six towards persons with disabilities
via the "Kids on the Block" program. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Wilfrid Laurier University,
Ontario, Canada. Retrieved from http://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/604/
Bernier, M. & O'Hare, J. (Eds.). (2005). Puppetry in education and therapy: Unlocking doors to the mind and
heart. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.
Binkard, B. (1985). A successful handicap awareness program--run by special parents. Teaching
Exceptional Children, 18(1), 12-16.
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Donaldson, J. (1980). Changing attitudes toward handicapped persons: A review and analysis of
research. Exceptional Children, 46, 504-514.
Favazza, P. C. & Odom, S. L. (1997). Promoting positive attitudes of kindergarten-age children toward
people with disabilities. Exceptional Children, 63, 405-415. Retrieved from
http://www.cec.sped.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications2/ExceptionalChildren/default.ht
m
Flem, A., Moen, T. & Gudmundsdottir, S. (2004). Towards inclusive schools: A study of inclusive
education in practice. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 19, 85-98.
Garcia, M. A., Diaz, A. L. & Rodriguez, M. A. (2009). A review and analysis of programmes promoting
changes in attitudes towards people with disabilities. Annuary of Clinical and Health Psychology, 5,
81-94. Retrieved from http://institucional.us.es/apcs/
Gilfoyle, E. M. & Gliner, J. A. (1985). Attitudes toward handicapped children: Impact of an educational
program. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 5(4), 27-41. doi:10.1080/J006v05n04_03
Hazzard, A. (1983). Children's experience with, knowledge of, and attitude toward disabled persons.
Journal of Special Education, 17, 131-139. doi:10.1177/002246698301700204
Hazzard, A. P. & Baker, B. L. (1982). Enhancing children's attitudes toward disabled peers using a multimedia
intervention. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 3, 247-262. doi:10.1016/0193-
3973(82)90018-1
Hutzler, Y., Fliess-Douer, O., Avraham, A., Reitner, S. & Talmor, R. (2007). Effects of short-term awareness
interventions on children's attitudes toward peers with a disability. International Journal of
Rehabilitation Research, 30, 159-161. doi:10.1097/MRR.0b013e32813a2eb6
Kids on the Block Inc. (2012). About The Kids on the Block puppets. Retrieved from
http://www.kotb.com/kob2.htg/style.html
Leggett, K. (2005). Puppets teaching children around the world. In M. Ritter (Ed.), Explorations.
Washington, DC: Voice of America.
Lipsky, D. K. & Gartner, A. (1996). Inclusion, restructuring, and the remaking of American society.
Harvard Educational Review, 66, 762-796. Retrieved from
http://www.hepg.org/main/her/Index.html
Lockhart, R. C., French, R. & Gench, B. (1998). Influence of empathy training to modify attitudes of
normal children in physical education toward peers with physical disabilities. Clinical Kinesiology,
52, 35-41. Retrieved from http://www.clinicalkinesiology.org/
Maras, P. & Brown, R. (2000). Effects of different forms of school contact on children's attitudes toward
disabled and non-disabled peers. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 70, 337-351.
doi:10.1348/000709900158164
Nelson, C. M. (2000). Educating students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in the 21st century:
Looking through windows, opening doors. Education and Treatment of Children, 23, 204-222.
Nowicki, E. A. & Sandieson, R. (2002). A meta-analysis of school-age children's attitudes towards
persons with physical or intellectual disabilities. International Journal of Disability, Development and
Education, 49, 243-265. doi:10.1080/1034912022000007270
Pitre, N., Stewart, S., Adams, S., Bedard, T. & Landry, S. (2007). The use of puppets with elementary
school children in reducing stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness. Journal of Mental Health,
16, 415-429. doi:10.1080/09638230701299160
Rosenbaum, P. L., Armstrong, R. W. & King, S. M. (1986a). Children's attitudes toward disabled peers: A
self-report measure. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 517-530. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/11.4.517
Rosenbaum, P. L., Armstrong, R. W. & King, S. M. (1986b). Improving attitudes toward the disabled: A
randomized controlled trial of direct contact versus Kids-on-the-Block. Journal of Developmental
and Behavioral Pediatrics, 7, 302-307. doi:10.1097/00004703-198610000-00005
Salisbury, C. L. & Smith, B. J. (1991). The least restrictive environment: Understanding the options.
Principal, 71(1), 24-27.
Schumacher, J. M. (1998). The effectiveness of the Kids on the Block program in increasing children's
knowledge of and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. Unpublished doctoral dissertation,
University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE.
Scior, K., Kan, K.-Y., McLoughlin, A. & Sheridan, J. (2010). Public attitudes toward people with
intellectual disabilities: A cross-cultural study. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 48, 278-
289. doi:10.1352/1934-9556-48.4.278
Shapiro, A. H. (2000). Everybody belongs: Changing negative attitudes toward classmates with disabilities
(1st pbk. ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Snart, F. & Maguire, T. (1986). Using puppets to increase children’s knowledge and acceptance of
handicapped peers. Canadian Journal for Exceptional Children, 3, 57-59.
Snart, F. & Maguire, T. (1987). Effectiveness of the Kids on the Block Puppets: An examination. British
Columbia Journal of Special Education, 11, 9-16.
Thompson, B. (1999). Improving research clarity and usefulness with effect size indices as supplements
to statistical significance tests. Exceptional Children, 65, 329-338.
Vacha-Haase, T. & Thompson, B. (2004). How to estimate and interpret various effect sizes. Journal of
Counseling Psychology, 51, 473-481. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.51.4.473
Voeltz, L. M. (1980). Children's attitudes toward handicapped peers. American Journal of Mental
Deficiency, 84, 455-464.
Yell, M. L. (1995). Least restrictive environment, inclusion, and students with disabilities: A legal
analysis. Journal of Special Education, 28, 389-404.
Yuker, H. E. (Ed.). (1988). Attitudes toward persons with disabilities. New York, NY: Springer
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Published
2017-08-23
How to Cite
Dunst, C. J. (2017). Effects of puppetry on elementary students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 4(3), 51–457. Retrieved from https://www.iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/189
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