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Character Lessons For The Heart was designed to assist teachers in using the Puppet with a Heart. It will help you to inspire character development within each precious child that you have the privilege of influencing, while they are in your classroom.

Websters definition for character is personal qualities by which others judge one; moral nature. In this world in which we live, peer pressure is not so likely to inspire children towards personal best or to develop character qualities of honesty, loyalty and confident self-esteem. Our desire in writing these lessons is to give you a tool that can be used to help develop quality characteristics within your classroom environment

How to Use These Lessons with a Puppet

1. Look over and study the object lesson
2. Prepare heart, placement of the object
3. Bring out puppet
4. Present the object with the lesson
5. Put heart away- Put puppet away
6. Continue with class

Works every time and when done properly, will never get boring.

Because of the specially made compartment for the puppets heart, there are an unlimited number of ways to use the puppet. Items can be placed in the puppets heart, such as:

1. A birthday card to honor a child's birthday.
2. A get well card for a home or hospital visit.
3. Help puppet solve a problem the students are having difficulty with.
4. Make an announcement or reminder to students.
5. Introduce a new lesson. (color, alphabet letter, vowel, number, spelling word.)
6. Give out an award or honor
7. Whatever is within the teacher’s heart, can be in the puppet’s heart.
   

Sample Lesson:

Object:

A Leaf ( real or fake)

Scripture:

• Hebrews 13:5“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. ”
• Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Synopsis:

In this world of materialism, children often get caught up in whining over what they don’t have, instead of feeling grateful for what they do have. ("Covetousness" means having a desire for wealth or for another’s possessions.) The coveting can turn into anger, as we continue to dwell on our have nots.

Puppet comes out with his head down. Teacher says, “Hello, how are you today?” Puppet continues to keep his head down. Teacher lifts the chin of puppet to make eye contact and asks, “What’s the matter, you seem so down?” Puppet begins his complaining with, “I wasn’t the first in line at the pony rides, so I didn’t get to ride the one I wanted. The clown that was giving away free balloons gave me a green one and I wanted a red one instead. To top it off, I got the smallest piece of pizza, and my drink wasn’t filled up all the way.” Teacher says, “It sounds like nothing went your way. Your special day with friends wasn’t a very happy one. I wonder if you could have had a good time, if you hadn’t been so worried about comparing everything you received with what the others got. Could it be that you were having a bad attitude, and that you weren’t very thankful for what you received? Would you say you were having a major case of whining?”

“I think we need to check your heart and see what might be hidden inside.” ( When child checks his heart they find a leaf) Puppet says, “I just want you to leave me alone, I’m not being whiney!” Teacher says, “I understand you want me to leave you alone, but we don’t always get our favorite color, or the biggest piece, or to be first in line.” It sounds to me like you ruined your special day with friends, by your bad attitude and pouting.” “Did things become more important to you than the friends you were with?”

Puppet nods head “Yes” and admits he had a major case of whining. (Hold the leaf up for all to see)

Teacher says, “I know you wanted me to leave you alone, but let’s talk to someone who promises to never leave us, no matter what.” Share scripture Hebrews 13:5 “Let’s pray and ask the Lord for help, in leaving our bad attitudes and anger behind..”

Teacher, “Here is another scripture (Ephesians 5:20) to put in your heart to help you feel more thankful for what you receive.”

Puppet says, “Now I understand why my friends keep wanting to leave me behind. I keep complaining all day long.”