Center for Puppetry Arts Partners with NYU’s INSIGHTS Program to Enhance Social and Academic outcomes Through Puppetry

ATLANTA, GA (August 5, 2025) — The Center for Puppetry Arts is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament, the evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program developed by Dr. Sandee McClowry of New York University (NYU). This partnership will bring puppetry into elementary school classrooms as a dynamic tool for fostering emotional intelligence and behavior regulation in young children.

Launching this fall in select Metro Atlanta schools, this collaboration brings together the Center’s expertise in puppetry and arts-based education with the INSIGHTS program’s proven model of helping children understand their unique temperament traits and learn constructive ways to interact with others.

The partnership was facilitated by The Aytes Agency, an Atlanta-based arts and culture consulting firm specializing in strategic collaborations that expand access to education, the arts and community impact. Identifying the natural synergy between INSIGHTS and the Center for Puppetry Arts, the Agency recognized how puppetry’s capacity to foster emotional connection could deepen the delivery of social-emotional learning. This collaboration builds on the Center’s already impactful education programs, integrating INSIGHTS’ evidence-based methodology to elevate content, strengthen outcomes and broaden its reach with measurable SEL impact.

At the heart of the INSIGHTS curriculum are four puppet characters—Coretta the Cautious, Gregory the Grumpy, Fredrico the Friendly,  and Hilary the Hard Worker —each representing different temperament styles. The Center for Puppetry Arts will support the expansion and delivery of these engaging classroom experiences through puppet-based performances, educator training and interactive workshops that make SEL lessons more accessible, memorable and impactful.

“Puppetry has a unique ability to connect with students’ emotions and imaginations, and we are honored to partner with Dr. McClowry to amplify the reach of this important program,” said Beth Schiavo, Center for Puppetry Arts’ executive director.

INSIGHTS has been rigorously tested and recognized for helping children—especially those in under-resourced schools—build stronger relationships, improve self-regulation and reduce disruptive behaviors. Through this new partnership, the Center and INSIGHTS will co-create a puppetry-embedded model of delivery that supports teachers and school counselors in implementing the curriculum with authenticity and creativity.

This collaboration also aligns with the goals of the Georgia Literacy Act, which emphasizes comprehensive literacy instruction and student achievement statewide. By fostering emotional regulation, focus and positive classroom interactions through puppet-assisted SEL, the program lays a foundation that can support improved literacy outcomes, helping students to become more engaged and successful learners.

“We are thrilled to work with the Center for Puppetry Arts, whose talents will bring the INSIGHTS puppets to life in ways that deepen children’s understanding of themselves and others. This partnership will allow us to scale our impact while maintaining the warmth and relatability that makes INSIGHTS so effective,” said McClowry, professor of applied psychology at New York University and creator of the INSIGHTS program.

The initiative will begin in Title I schools and early learning programs in the 2025–2026 school year, with plans for expanded implementation across Georgia and beyond in future years.

About the Center for Puppetry Arts 

The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated solely to puppetry, offering live performances, interactive workshops and a world-class museum. Home to the Jim Henson Collection, featuring original Muppets, Fraggle Rock characters and Sesame Street icons, the Center provides a rare, behind-the-scenes look at beloved TV and film favorites. With over 4,000 puppets in their collection, the Center immerses visitors in diverse cultural traditions, making it a must-visit destination for families. It remains a key player in Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene. Learn more at puppet.org.

About INSIGHTS into Children’s Temperament

Developed by Dr. Sandee McClowry at New York University, INSIGHTS is a research-based social and emotional learning program that uses temperament-based strategies and puppet characters to help children, teachers and families understand and support healthy emotional development and positive behavior in young children. Learn more at insightsintervention.com.