Children came to the Staten Island Children's Museum Friday to watch a puppet show. But the fun puppets, named Melody and Mark, were also teaching a lesson.

Mark is depicted in a wheelchair, and Melody learns to treat him equally.

"When I look at you, I'm trying to see the person first, and not the wheelchair first," said Melody.

The interactive puppet show is part of a non-profit educational program called Kids Project, which is sponsored by the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disablilities.

Throughout the school year, Kids Project visits all five boroughs to teach students about children living with disabilities.

"The basic overall project is to try to make people more comfortable with people who have disabilities by pointing out some of the similarities and the differences between both people,” said Kids Project public education specialist Dathan Williams, “and letting us know that it is still possible for you to be friends with someone who has a disability."

Joshua Fleishman, 8, has a friend with a disability, who he treats the same as all his other friends.

"Kids with special needs should be treated and loved the same that other kids shall be," said Fleishman.

Parents say programs like Kids Project are an important learning experience for their children.

"They need to know that everyone should be treated equally, and some children are lucky to do things other children aren't able to do also," said parent Doreen Passanisi.

"This is an amazing way for children to learn about diversity and accepting one another in a very diverse society that we live in," said parent Ellen Fleishman.

For more information on Kids Project, call 1-212-229-3175.