A PROGRAM FOR THERAPISTS, COUNSELORS, COACHES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS
An 8-Week Program for Professionals
Seeking to Establish Playful, Easy, and Approachable Connections with Children Who Struggle with Trust and Engagement—Perfect for Working with Kids Facing Emotional or Social Challenges
Let me guess, you're feeling stuck and craving more?
Children who refuse to speak with you,
who avoid making contact, and who won't share what's troubling them. You've tried every trick in the book to make them feel safe, to show that you're there for them, but nothing works.
Can you picture them? Frustrating, isn't it?
No matter what you try, the child continues to look at you with suspicion, and their entire demeanor indicates they won't open up. That mistrust has a source, but it's also preventing the child from new experiences that could contribute to their growth and healing.
These children were once the reason I turned to hand puppets as a solution.
Does this sound familiar?
If so, this program was created for you. I'm eager to work with you to make a difference using a hand puppet.
What Makes the Puppet an Exceptional Tool?
- Alignment with the Child’s Worldview: Puppets fit naturally into a child's realm of understanding and are perceived differently than adults.
- New Avenues for Connection: Children react differently to puppets than to you, opening new pathways for engagement and trust.
- Safe Haven for Questions: Operating in the role of a "friend," the puppet becomes a safe confidant, helping the child gain new experiences.
- Versatile Approach: The puppet allows you to interact with the child from multiple perspectives and roles.
- Insight into Hidden Feelings: It offers you the chance to uncover what the child is unwilling to share with you.
- Source of Joy: The puppet becomes a wellspring of happiness for both the child and you.
- Capabilities Beyond Your Own: The puppet can achieve things that you can’t—but you'll have to discover that for yourself.
An Individualized Program for Those Who Want to Make a Difference
In this 8-week program, you'll transform your puppet into a Puppet Support Squad to lower barriers for children. Below are the components of the program:
1. PLAN
Every journey starts with a plan, and that's exactly where we begin. We’ll pinpoint your objectives, identify the children you aim to assist with your Puppet Support Squad, the areas where you plan to deploy your puppet, and the times you wish to utilize it. We will also discuss the current challenges you're facing and the opportunities you hope to seize. We'll establish a baseline and set a goal to collaboratively work towards.
By mastering this component, you'll establish a focused and actionable blueprint for your interactions, ensuring that every move you make is strategically aligned with both your goals and the child's needs.
2. PLAY
Your puppet comes to life—it moves, it speaks, and it develops a character and language style with which to connect with children. I will teach you how to engage playfully within your capabilities, in a way that suits you and aligns with your goals. You’ll soon discover that puppet play is less complicated than you might think. It can be boiled down to a few simple principles that are universally applicable to nearly every situation and child.
You'll not only build rapport more effectively with children but also enrich your professional toolbox, making each interaction more impactful.
3. CONNECT
Each introduction to a child is a new journey of discovery. Your Puppet can play a vital role in facilitating quicker connections and openness from the child. To do this effectively, your puppet needs to possess certain characteristics, and it's also beneficial to know specific details about the child. We'll tailor this to your unique situation and the children you work with. I'll provide you with a thought framework that can be applied to any child you encounter in your practice.
Mastering this component will empower you to break down barriers more efficiently, accelerating the process of trust-building with each child you work with.
4. INTERACT
Your Puppet will take on an interactive role, suggesting plans to challenge the child, taking over certain activities, and lowering barriers to participation. You'll learn how to integrate your puppet with books, card games, and components of your program in a way that yields more insight than you would gain without the puppet. I'll teach you how to see through the eyes of the puppet when considering what content to present to a child, and how to effectively deliver that content via your puppet.
By mastering this component, you will not just animate a puppet; you will bring to life a vital instrument for change, making your interactions more dynamic and your insights more profound.
The program consists of 8 weekly Zoom meetings, each lasting 60 minutes. During these sessions, we'll work towards achieving your goals based on the four main components.
In our initial intake session, we'll identify your specific needs and decide which components require the most attention to get you where you want to go.
You'll receive personalized coaching and actionable plans at each meeting, aimed at continuously improving your skillset and overcoming any challenges you face.
Additional Benefits You'll Receive
30-Minute Intake Session
Your journey starts with an intake session to tailor the program to your needs. Tell me about your dreams, your current status, and the role you envision for your puppet.
WhatsApp Support Line
Weekly touchpoints via WhatsApp keep you focused and accountable. Discuss the assignment you've been working on and set the agenda for the next session.
Online Learning Environment
Gain unlimited access to an online educational platform. Lessons can be revisited even after you've completed the program, offering continuous learning opportunities.
"I am so happy that I did this program with you. Before, I saw the possibilities but didn't know how to utilize them. Now, I know how to approach it, and Jip has become a very important part of my practice."
"At the start of this program, I lacked the courage to include the puppet; now, I find that much easier. The lessons and coaching encouraged me to use my puppet more. It wasn't just the assignments but also gaining more confidence in myself. I thought it was an excellent program, even better than I had initially thought based on the information provided. My main eye-opener was that children are very receptive to the puppet, despite my initial clumsiness. I found the materials for this program—the assignments, the online environment, and instructional videos—beautiful and clear. Helen is incredibly motivating and consistently provides input that makes things much easier. If you want to use a puppet to enhance a child's sense of safety and gather more information about the child, then Helen's program is highly recommended."
INEKE, PLAY THERAPIST
Helen Meurs, your coach and trainer,
"I am here to help you achieve your goals."
If there's one thing that has become clear to me in the 30 years I've worked with hand puppets, it's that using a hand puppet as a tool is not a matter of talent.
Acting skills are not a prerequisite for having beautiful and transformative interactions with a child. Having a heart for children and the willingness to understand them better is what really matters.
If you possess this and are willing to step a bit out of your comfort zone, then that's enough for us to start working together.
I'd love to take you on a journey that offers you more than just a skill. Are you ready for a new adventure?
"All the Magic Happens Outside your Comfortzone"
Helping children break down the walls around them
and teaching them how to express themselves and feel safe. That's what this program is about.
Helping children break down the walls around them
and teaching them how to express themselves and feel safe. That's what this program is about.
Start in November
In November, I have a total of 5 spots available for this program. Since this program is new to my offerings, I'm eager to gather more reviews. Therefore, in exchange for an honest review, I am offering the program at a special rate of $697 instead of $997.
What You'll Get:
FOUNDATIONS:
- 30-minute Intake Session: Personal introduction to identify your specific needs and goals.
- 8 weekly Individual Zoom Meetings of 60 Minutes: In-depth sessions where we work on your goals step-by-step.
- Contact via WhatsApp or Mail: A direct line for questions, challenges, and successes.
- Assignments Tailored to Your Goals: Practical tasks that you can immediately apply in your work.
ONLINE TOOLS:
- Access to the Online Learning Environment: Specially designed lessons focused on the components of Plan, Play, Connect, and Interact.
BONUSES:
- A year Long Access to the Weekly Student Meeting via Zoom: Group conversations for additional insights and inspiration.
- 52 Conversation Starters: Instant ideas to kick-start interaction.
- 25 Short Activities Your Puppet Can Do: Creative ways to effectively utilize your puppet.
Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE WITH A HAND PUPPET TO ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?
No, you don't. The program covers all the elements you need for your puppet to connect with children in a safe and accessible way. You'll gain access to my online learning environment, where the four aspects of the program are laid out in lessons, allowing you to master all the required skills. You'll find that starting from scratch can also be an advantage.
This program is designed for professionals (child coaches, play therapists, remedial teachers, internal counselors, social workers, etc.) who work with children who have difficulty expressing themselves, find it hard to trust you as an adult, are not easily understood, and with whom you wonder how to break down the walls around them to further aid in their development. This is about children you will be guiding individually.
To get the most out of the program, we recommend setting aside at least half an hour a day for practice with your puppet and to work on the assignments included in the program. This approach will quickly highlight any areas where you might need extra support, allowing me to provide you with specific guidance and tips.
You will need a hand puppet, but it doesn't have to be a specific type. It is preferable that the puppet has a movable mouth as this encourages language development and is not restricted by external features that limit its role, such as being a police officer, a clown, or a Sesame Street character. If you're unsure whether your puppet is suitable for participation in this program, feel free to email me at helen@helenmeurs.com
Absolutely! It's fantastic that you've been working with a hand puppet for some time, but are you achieving the reactions you're hoping for? Does your puppet manage to connect with children who are otherwise reluctant to engage with you? If the answer to these questions is 'no' or 'partial,' then clearly you want to get more out of your puppet. I can help tailor the program to focus on the specific areas that need improvement, aligning it with your goals. We won't revisit what you already know and can do.
Yes, in this program, it's all about you, your goals, and your daily practice. We focus on what you specifically need to achieve the results you desire.
I operate in Eastern Time (ET). You can check my availability for appointments through my calendar, which you'll find here
The WhatsApp helpline serves as a weekly touchpoint between you and me. Each week, we will discuss the steps you've taken and evaluate their outcomes. Based on these discussions, we'll determine your next steps.
In case of emergencies, you can also reach out via WhatsApp, for example, if a child's reaction is unexpectedly different from what you anticipated.
After completing the program, you will continue to have access to the online learning environment as well as the private Facebook group. Additionally, for up to one year after the start of the program, you'll receive invitations to participate in my group sessions via Zoom.
You will have unlimited access to my Puppet Power Playschool on Facebook where you can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from other professionals in the field. Additionally, the monthly Zoom group meetings provide an excellent opportunity for live interaction and networking.
You can pay through PayPal. Setting up a payment plan is also an option if you need more flexibility.
Feel free to send me an email at helen@helenmeurs.com
No Results? Get Your Money Back
I am confident that this program will help you make more meaningful connections with children and gain insights into what's holding them back, all through the use of a hand puppet.
I am so confident in this that if, by the end of the program, you see no results and have made no progress with your puppet, I will fully refund the program cost to your account.
In this program, you'll learn how to use a puppet in a way that encourages children to open up. That's my promise to you.
Terms and Conditions
Return Policy
Terms and Conditions
Return Policy