Puppet kids Brenda and Jason with kids
Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block adds three new educational programs which will include introducing two new Kids on the Block puppets and revised current program offerings for the upcoming school year.
The new educational programs include:
Making the Right Choices – Alcohol/Tobacco/Prescription Drug Awareness targeted to fifth grade students. The program focuses on the negative effects of alcohol, tobacco (including vaping) and prescription drug use. It provides information to help young people make healthier, sensible and more responsible decisions. “Making the Right Choices” will introduce new puppet kid Eric Van Aart. Eric is a 12-year-old boy who is ordered to go see an alcohol and drug counselor after throwing a party where his best friend is diagnosed with alcohol poisoning. Eric is now on a mission to help those around him make better choices for themselves.
Two new programs have been added to the general audience performances and are appropriate for all ages.
Vehicle Safety – The program focuses on how drivers and passengers play a role in making any vehicle trip safe. It discusses problem solving, following rules, and effective communication with peers and adults.
Bereavement – The program focuses on managing emotions when dealing with the loss of a loved one. It highlights that it is okay to feel many different ways about a situation, and that it is always helpful to talk to someone. The Bereavement program will introduce new puppet kid Jamie Higgins, who lost her mom to cancer. Jamie misses her mom terribly and sometimes feels guilty enjoying activities she’s enjoyed in the past because she feels she should always be sad. Jamie’s friends help her by encouraging her to enjoy life by getting back to some of her favorite past activities.
"Our educational programs are unique and encourage open communication between children and parents and provide age appropriate information to children on difficult and sensitive topics and concerns,” said Kelly Williams, CKOB executive director.
Despite unexpected and severe funding cuts over the last three years, the requests for the non-threatening and unique educational programs provided by CKOB continue to increase. During the 2017-2018 school year, CKOB performed a record breaking number of 500 educational programs and workshops, serving over 64,000 children and adults in its 16 county service area in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama free of charge.
CKOB is able to provide programs free of charge to the schools through individual donations, fundraisers, sponsorships and grants. For the 2018-2019 school year CKOB has been awarded a grant through the city of Chattanooga to partially fund programs to all Hamilton County schools. Mrs. Williams says she is hoping that the county commissioners will match the city’s funding to successfully continue to provide these educational programs free of charge to schools in the area. Mrs. Williams also added that CKOB performed educational programs in 62 percent of the Hamilton County elementary schools last year.
Chattanooga's Kids on the Block provides educational programs to children in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth, using the art of Bunraku puppetry. Through scripted puppet presentations and follow up with student and puppet interaction, children are able to open up and ask questions as if the puppets were trusted friends, said officials.
CKOB is one of the oldest, most active and most respected troupes in the United States. CKOB is licensed to perform all 45 nationally researched educational programs available to Kids on the Block troupes, using the nationally known Kids on the Block puppets, and have developed three new programs including “Cyberbullying,” “How Do I Look – Positive Body Image,” and “Financial Literacy.”
To schedule an educational program in a school or for a community event, or to make a financial contribution, please contact www.kidsontheblock.net or call 757-5259.
Puppet kid Mark with child