COUNT ME IN®
Help bring the message of disability awareness and social inclusion to young children
Everyone wants to play, learn, have friends and be included. The Count Me In puppet show helps children understand that kids with disabilities want those same things too.
The age-appropriate shows featuring child-size puppets capture the attention and imagination of young children. Using an engaging, child-friendly approach, trained volunteers present a message-filled show that is creative and fun, while dealing with sensitive subjects in a realistic way. Through the puppet show and discussion, the puppets educate, entertain, and inspire.
PACER’s volunteer puppeteers perform across the Twin Cities metro, and the puppets and scripts have been purchased by schools and organizations around the world.
COUNT ME IN for children ages 4-6
Show length is 35 minutes.
Disabilities and topics covered include:
- Blindness
- Deaf/hard of hearing
- A physical disability
- Invisible Disabilities
- Inclusion and acceptance of difference
Meet the cast
Each puppet has a specific personality and physical characteristics—the multicultural cast represents children of various backgrounds and abilities. The show features puppets Gina, Jay and Sally, supported by their friends Carmen and Mitch.
COUNT ME IN for children in grades 1-3
Show length is 35-40 minutes.
Disabilities and topics covered include:
- Blindness
- Deaf/hard of hearing
- Cerebral palsy
- ADHD
- Autism
Meet the cast
Each puppet has a specific personality and physical characteristics—the multicultural cast represents children of various backgrounds and abilities. The show features puppets Gina, Jay, Sally, Max supported by their friendes Carmen, and Mitch.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to leave a lasting impression on young children in your area. To learn more about the PACER puppets, e-mail [email protected]
Gina
Gina is blind and uses a white cane to go almost anywhere. Gina can ride a tandem bike and read Braille, and she enjoys having sleepovers with her friends.
Jay
Jay is deaf/hard of hearing. Jay wears a hearing aid that helps him hear some sounds. His favorite thing to do is play games. Jay has learned to talk and uses sign language and speech reading. He taught his classmates how to sign “Happy Birthday.”
Sally
Sally has a physical disability. Sally has either spina bifida or cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She likes to sing and play games and even tried horseback riding once, but her favorite thing to do is swim.
Carmen
Carmen has epilepsy. She likes to try new things, go to new places, and, most importantly, help her many friends. Carmen’s friends did not know she had seizures because they are controlled through the medication she takes.
Mitch
Mitch has a learning disability. Mitch needs to be taught some subjects in a different way than the other kids in his class. Mitch’s favorite sport is baseball. He is the pitcher and captain of his team.
Gina
Gina is blind and uses a white cane to go almost anywhere. Gina can ride a tandem bike and read Braille, and she enjoys having sleepovers with her friends.
Jay
Jay is deaf/hard of hearing. Jay wears a hearing aid that helps him hear some sounds. His favorite thing to do is play games. Jay has learned to talk and uses sign language and speech reading. He taught his classmates how to sign “Happy Birthday.”
Sally
Sally has a physical disability. Sally has either spina bifida or cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She likes to sing and play games and even tried horseback riding once, but her favorite thing to do is swim.
Corey
Corey has Down syndrome. He learns things at a slower pace than his friends but when given the help and support he needs, Corey can be counted on to do a good job and help others, too.
Carmen
Carmen has ADHD. She likes to try new things, go to new places, and, most importantly, help her many friends. Carmen’s friends did not know she had ADHD because Carmen uses various tools to help her focus in school.
Max
Max has autism spectrum disorder. Max is a computer whiz and one of the best readers in the class. He enjoys participating in the school spelling bee and is fearless when sledding downhill. Sometimes Max behaves differently, but his classmates learn to appreciate his special skills.
Mitch
Mitch has a learning disability. Mitch needs to be taught some subjects in a different way than the other kids in his class. Mitch’s favorite sport is baseball. He is the pitcher and captain of his team.
PACER Center expressly reserves all rights in its works of authorship which include, but are not limited to, the puppets and scripts, and none of PACER Center's copyrighted works may be reproduced, distributed or translated without express written permission of PACER Center.
© PACER Center, Inc., 8161 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55437
(952) 838-9000 Voice, (952) 838-0199 Fax
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