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ASSEMBLIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSKids on the Block

Educating students about peers with different abilities, tolerance, and diversity

Kids on the Block uses interactive puppetry to teach students about disabilities. Informative and engaging skits show children with disabilities as active participants of society. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer period at the end of each program.

Program Goals & Impact

Feedback from educators confirmed to The Children's Institute that Kids on the Block continues to meet its two special needs assembly program goals.

Goal 1

Understanding & Acceptance

To encourage better understanding and acceptance of children with special needs by their peers.

Goal 2

Interactive Learning Experiences

To provide learning experiences aligning with and supplementing academic standards in the subjects of health, social studies, and science.

Kids on the Block Skits

Schools can choose any three of the following available skits:
Mark's new neighbor, Melody, is curious about his wheelchair, leading to a lively and informative discussion.
Though Mandy is always late, she always has time for a fun sign language lesson. This is Kids on the Block's most popular skit.
Brenda has lost her teacher’s note, but Renaldo, who is blind, helps with his Braille note.
For his troop’s winter camp out, Scott is prepared to handle his asthma, but the hard part is convincing mom. His backpack full of equipment does the trick!
Joanna learns that even though Valerie uses braces and crutches, she still has what it takes to be a cheerleader.
Eddy is getting bullied in school, but thanks to his friend Claire, he finds the best way to deal with it.
Joanne can’t understand why Eddy’s older brother won’t say hello, until Eddy teaches her about autism.

*Currently not available as the script is being updated.
Jennifer is a fifth grader who is really good at math, so why can’t she learn her left from her right?
When Brenda comes to pick up her dog, she meets Ellen Jane, a veterinary assistant with Down syndrome.

Hear What Others Had to Say

Great presentation! Our students paid close attention and were thoroughly engaged. We have a student in our school that uses a wheelchair so it was the perfect opportunity for other students to ask questions and learn about alternative ways of doing things. Everyone was talking about the program at lunch!
Bethel Park School District
Elementary Teacher
The program was very age appropriate. It was educational and engaging at the same time. Students got positive exposure to different disabilities such as learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, and blindness. Some of these disabilities students are familiar with, but some of them they are not familiar with so it was very good to include this variety of disabilities. I believe students made positive connections with some of their own lives and the children in our community and how to communicate with them.
Marion Center School District
Elementary School Guidance Counselor
The puppets were so realistic; that took me by surprise! The students loved learning the sign language. We are learning sign language in reading so they were excited to learn new signs. We plan to learn more about the topics presented during library time.
Armstrong Area School District
Teacher
The Kids on the Block aligns perfectly with our school's 'Resilient Ruby' positive thinking and actions - character. Ruby has a disability too which is further explained in the KOB puppet show. The students liked that they could ask questions of the puppets and the answers were to the point and age appropriate. We always enjoy your show; see you next year!
Belle Vernon School District
Elementary Guidance Counselor
The teachers all raved about the Kids on the Block! The puppets seem to come to life and are a great teaching tool for young learners. One class wanted to learn more about disabilities and the art of puppetry! Great presentation with great lessons!
Northgate School District
Elementary Guidance Counselor

Bring Kids on the Block to Your School

For public schools, Kids on the Block is typically free, as long as the funding is available. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has approved this program, with the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) providing the funding. 

For private schools, we can bring Kids on the Block to you also! Please contact us for pricing. Fees are used to maintain the quality of the program. No profit is made for The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh.

To find out if funding is available for your school or to book, call today.

Call 412.420.2400 (ext. 2344)

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Not sure what the next step is? You can always call our Information Center to speak to a team member who can direct you to the support and answers you need.

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