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When does the concept of reality set in for Israeli children?

Israeli puppeteers are divided over when children understand the difference between reality and make-believe.
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Among the many performances, workshops, shows and activities held as part of the International Festival of Puppet Theater, held Aug. 9-13 in Jerusalem, was a fascinating panel featuring local and international artists discussing puppet theater for 1-year-old tots.

According to Ilan Savir, director of the International Festival of Puppet Theatre and Film, held July 16-25 in Holon, conventional wisdom has it that there is no point in letting children watch puppet theater before age 3. “It’s better to sit on the sofa at home, read the kid a book and do voices,” said Savir, who also heads the Israel Puppet Center in Holon. “The concept of reality only sets in at age 3, and only then do children understand the difference between reality and make-believe.” The directors of the Jerusalem festival apparently think otherwise, because they staged three shows for children ages 1 to 3. This is just one example of the groundbreaking path puppetry art is taking in Israel.

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