A growing number of early-childhood educators are keeping a dedicated drawer of finger puppets in the classroom, using them as a low-pressure way to draw out students who are reluctant to speak up during regular circle time.
Teachers say the trick isn't the puppet itself so much as the layer of distance it provides: a child who won't answer a question directly will often answer readily on behalf of a small felt fox. Several educators interviewed said they'd seen the technique work especially well with students newer to the language of instruction.
The approach isn't new to speech and drama therapy, but its spread into general kindergarten classrooms is more recent, driven partly by teachers sharing techniques informally through classroom-supply forums and social video.