PEEK INSIDE
OPT
OPT FUN HELPS KIDS TACKLE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THEM!
Sadly, alarming problems abound for our precious kids today! Kids and families often feel overwhelmed. They yearn for simple, loving guidance to rise above:
-
Childhood obesity - and flip side - hunger
-
Sedentary, unbalanced lifestyles
-
Smoking
-
Drug abuse
-
Bullying and/or lack of respect for others
-
Lack of time spent outdoors in nature
-
Adult diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. striking kids way too early
OPT takes these on - with inexpensive, active creativity!
Personalized fun and relationship-growing - thru OPT puppet power! When an empathetic puppet shares wellness tips steeped in music, art, and laughter, learning sticks. Bond more deeply with your kids so they feel valued and eager to pursue purpose-filled lives.
Make positive change for this generation - and the next - with OPT fun. Away we go. . .
OPT JOURNEY LEADS THE WAY . . .
OPT was born in co-author Terry Schultz's zany, anti-smoking shows for adults at Minnesota's Mayo Medical Museum. Show Goal: Kids choose to be smoke-free!
So many teachers wanted to make their own fun, we wrote TOPT for leaders - with a heart for kids. Terry brought a love of music and wacky humor. I added writing skills and passion, and also recruited tech illustrator Duane with his own zany side.
At first, "Organic" was word play on the body's organs. I expanded term to celebrate a love of natural wonders, creativity, and all things working together for good!
A labor of love, we hand-punched first 2,500 books on my folks' ping-pong table.
Soon, OPT danced from delighting local leaders and kids to enchanting them around the world! WORLD HEALTH MAGAZINE featured the book in five languages.
Everyone who opens an OPT book and dreams of a healthier, happier world for all is urged to make these activities their own. Look for latest challenges. Then, let OPT puppets present the most creative and caring solutions! See cool OPT fun pics HERE!
CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED OPT BOOK
OPT Book Features:
-
8 puppet patterns: Lungs, Stomach, Teeth, Heart, Brain/Skull, Hand, Kidneys, and Bladder
-
Basic health info on each organ
-
List of inexpensive household materials (tape, markers, zip-loc baggies, etc.)
-
Easy steps for kids to make all OPT puppets
-
Directions to make simple Showtime "stage"
-
Inspiration and ideas for you to customize OPT
-
92 pages - 8-1/2 x 11 spiral-bound paperback
-
100+ whimsical, multicultural drawings (examples sprinkled throughout site) to engage kids around world
Take a look at great local, national, and international OPT book reviews and presentation kudos over the years HERE.
BODIES SPRING FORTH THROUGH OPT BOOK
Baggies and markers become grinning Lungs and Stomachs. Jug and balloon, a Brain. Zany Kidneys and Bladder spring from paper cups, baggies, and lemonade mix. Lungs “breathe,” Teeth “chew,” and Stomachs “digest”! Wheeeee!
ALL puppets replicate organs to teach: function, responsibility, and care!
Kids drop black paper bits ("tars" and "nicotine") into Lungs to clearly see smoking's harmful effects. Easy to never start smoking after that graphic lesson!
Fill, under-fill, and over-fill Stomachs with food to see healthy eating turn into hunger or overeating. Too many children battle obesity. But too many are hungry or without enough nourishing food. Encourage balanced eating and moderation!
Have Brain/Skull encourage kids to be kinder, bring out playful sides, dream of creating better world, etc. Get kids used to making positive choices daily.
ONTO SHOWTIME!
Make simple "stage" with paper and markers. Kids crouch behind it, holding puppets high, as they act and sing to encourage life-long good health with:
-
Powerful anti-smoking skit
-
Happy, healthy heart skit
-
Three, easy-to-learn, original songs
OPT Emphasizes:
-
Importance of good eating habits, life-long activity, and balanced lifestyle
-
Dangers of smoking and neglecting the body
-
Respect for bodies to build sound habits - for body, mind and spirit - for LIFE!
Add your fave, personal touches. OPT puppets can shine light on local issues: bullying, obesity, drugs, etc. Or empathize with a sick child in class.
Not musical? No problem, mon! Rap your songs. Or choose a simple tune and use OPT lyrics. Or write your own wacky lyrics. Make it easy, breezy fun.
Encourage & Support Good Habits at Home Too!
Send OPT puppets home with kids. Urge families to get healthy together!
-
Hang Lungs by exercise gear to urge activity
-
Tape Stomach to fridge so families are inspired to eat delicious, balanced meals together and maybe are inspired to plant a garden
-
Keep Brain visible so kids are reminded to make smart choices - daily
-
Use Hand to encourage loving relationships and volunteering
OPT's all about building good habits - while encouraging curiosity, connection, and creativity!
Encourage kids explore their world. Envision bountiful futures. Understand they must be healthy and active to go for those futures!
Through OPT fun, kids dreamed of making a positive mark in world! They found loving support to keep following habits! Who'll keep them on the upward path now? Family, leaders, neighbors, mentors, pals? Maybe you'll be their best hope!
Mess up one day? Fall down seven times? No problem! Kids learned to get up and go for it! Again and again.
Follow me on Pinterest! Inviting updates & progress
on my Organic Puppet Theatre board.
We're ALL works in progress, right?