SPARE PARTS Puppet Theatre is back with a new program for younger kids and a season launch in the wings, including a massive performance with

Puppet Playtime is something of a rarity for Spare Parts, being targeted at kids aged just three to five. Publicist John Michael Swinbank says they’ve tried to program for littlies before, but older siblings inevitably want to join in the fun.

Running from February to November, the sessions start with a reading of a popular kids’ book with accompanying puppets 

(February’s is Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are) before participants get some hands-on activities and puppet-making.

Program director Bec Bradley said it was designed to encourage curiosity and imagination as well as a range of developmental, social and creative skills based on the lastest Telethon Kids Institute research.

“Puppet Playtime is designed to develop key skills in young children such as language and communication, fine motor skills and social-emotional intelligence,” Ms Bradley said.

The program is being run 

at Spare Parts’ home on Short Street, with the admin area and the Creative Learning Centre not affected by a state government decision to close the main theatre in August over safety concerns.

Mr Swinbank said they were still in talks with the McGowan government about their future, and hoped an announcement might be as early as this month.

The first Puppet Playtime sessions are being held February 21 and 23, with sessions at 9.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm. Tix at http://www.sppt.asn.au or 9335 5044.