The effect of puppetry class on learning and social skills of female elementary school students in Tehran

Learning through games and dolls is one of the most important ways to learn. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of puppetry class on learning and social skills of first, second and third grade female students in the first elementary school in Tehran. The research method was quasi-experimental. The statistical population of 360 students was selected by stepwise random sampling using Morgan table and received Gersham and Elliott (1999) social skills questionnaire. Then, they were randomly replaced in two groups of 180 in the experimental and control groups. The experimental group was trained in puppetry class for 4 useful 45-minute sessions in one month, while the control group followed their daily schedule during this period and did not receive any educational intervention. After the training program, the questionnaire was administered to both groups again. Data analysis using analysis of covariance showed that attending puppetry classes had a significant effect on promoting students' learning. These results show that the puppet drama class has a positive and significant effect on social skills in the dimensions of: cooperation, assertiveness, self-control and empathy.