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Why do puppets sell so well?
Puppets have been popular for as long as we can remember - they have an extensive history from the traditional Punch and Judy shows, to much-loved puppet characters such as Sooty and Sweep. Basil Brush, Rainbow’s Zippy and George, and of course the Muppets. They are incredibly versatile, parents can operate them, older children can play with them on their own, or they can become part of social play with other children. Anyone who has been in a toy shop will have seen how children and adults alike make a beeline for the puppets and can’t resist trying them out. Being able to do so in your retail setting will encourage purchases.
What are the developmental benefits of puppet play?
The most obvious benefit is that plush puppets encourage children to explore language. They might use different voices and accents, and enjoy being able to act out different roles. Puppets also encourage children towards imaginative play and creativity. Making up stories and acting them out promotes greater literacy development, which will be an advantage to children as they begin their learning at school.
Puppets can also encourage children who are a little shy to have a voice - it is often easier to speak as a different character. Or they may have a conversation with their puppet friend. Either way, this can be a particularly useful strategy if parents want to discover why a child is feeling sad or anxious. The puppet can also help to boost confidence, whether it allows a child to speak out, or enables them to develop self-confidence by performing in front of friends and family.
Operating a puppet can also aid the development of motor skills - making a glove puppet move, using hands to open and shut a puppet’s mouth, or workign a pop-up puppet like the adorable Kaloo Kachoo Surprise Puppet Jack Monkey - all encourages gross and fine motor skills. It’s an important part of child development as it prepares the muscles in the hand and wrist to have the correct strength and control to learn to grip a pencil on the journey towards writing.
The art of communication
Puppets also enable babies, toddlers and children to bond with another play partner. A parent might operate the puppet for a baby or toddler, introducing some bonding play time that is fun for everyone. Two small children might learn how to make their puppets talk to each other - learning about communication and how to take turns during a conversation. The puppet might read a bedtime story, introducing a novel and penetrating element to storytime. Later, the child can re-enact the story using their puppet - encouraging memory retention and repetition - all valuable skills that will be useful in an educational setting.