Created by
Childcraft, American
Date
1968
Medium
rubber and paint
Dimensions
H x W x D: 8 1/4 × 4 1/2 × 3 3/8 in. (21 × 11.5 × 8.5 cm)
Caption
Created for use by children’s counselors and therapists, this hand puppet is part of a set that depicts two five-person family units; one family is African American while the other is Caucasian. Being able to use puppets that reflect a child’s personal race and gender is important for this kind of therapy to be successful. It is also significant for children’s self-esteem and learning cues that the African American dolls show a complete nuclear family unit, wearing clothes that communicate middle class respectability.
Description
A son figure hand puppet by Childcraft. With his arms raised parallel to his chest, the son puppet wears a bright red ribbed cardigan and white shirt. He has black hair, black eyes, and red lips. On the bottom back of his cardigan is the maker's mark: CHILDCRAFT / [copyright symbol] 1968. His sand colored rubber interior has three finger holes.
Place used
Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Tools and Equipment
Toys and Games
Type
hand puppets
educational toys
Topic
Children
Communication
Education
Families
Identity
Mental health
Play
Race relations
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Janice Elzey & Steve Schnabl
Object number
2019.81.2.3
Restrictions & Rights
© Childraft 1968
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57e010268-1fc0-4567-8bb8-70dbaa49ecac

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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