L-A College Offers Health Care Puppet
Presentation
Pictured here with the Health Careers Puppet
Bunch is Celeste Philippon, RN, MS, who includes the puppets
in a presentation for first and second graders titled THE
GREAT HOSPITAL ADVENTURE.
Local elementary school children will have the opportunity
to learn about health careers and healthy behaviors through
an entertaining classroom program called THE GREAT HOSPITAL
ADVENTURE. This multi media presentation, funded through a
foundation grant, is being offered through the nursing program
at USM's Lewiston-Auburn College (LAC). The program includes
a video movie, puppet demonstration, group discussion and
coloring book, which promote awareness about careers in health
and healthy behaviors.
The educational materials feature eight loveable puppets
called the Health Careers Puppet Bunch. Each puppet represents
a person in the video with six of them representing different
careers in health care. The puppets are matched with real
health professionals who look like them and share the same
career. The materials portray a variety of cultural and non-traditional
roles in health care. Each child receives a Careers in Health
coloring book to keep and take home.
Celeste Philippon, RN, MS, educational linkage coordinator
for the nursing program at LAC, says that this presentation
has been very well received by students and teachers alike.
"The puppets and video are very visual which make the
program exciting and relevant for children. It serves as a
great introduction to wellness and health care careers, and
also serves to reduce anxiety about hospitals and medicine.
Some teachers have also noted that it is a great tie in to
the Learning Results," Philippon added.
This program is offered free of charge and is targeted primarily
at first and second grade students. Any teachers interested
in scheduling a presentation for their class are invited to
contact Philippon at 753-6624 or email at lacnursing@usm.maine.edu.
