Bobby the Policeman is an eco-friendly hand puppet from The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, crafted predominantly from recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall, Bobby features a built-in squeaker in his tongue and a wide expressive mouth, making him a versatile and engaging tool for imaginative play, storytelling, and communication development from 18 months of age.

How Bobby helps with communication and learning

For children with dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, or other learning differences, puppets like Bobby offer a powerful route into spoken language. When a child speaks through or to a puppet, the pressure of direct communication is reduced, making it easier to practise words, sentences, and ideas without the fear of getting things wrong. Bobby's built-in squeaker adds a layer of interactive fun that naturally draws children into conversation and play.

The wide mouth is designed to encourage exploration of different voices, sounds, and expressions, supporting phonological awareness, vocabulary development, and confidence in speaking. At 38cm, Bobby is large enough to make an impression but comfortable for children and adults to handle.

Why Bobby works well in schools and early years settings

• Reduces communication anxiety: Puppets create a helpful distance between the child and the conversation, which is particularly valuable for children who find speaking aloud challenging or stressful.
• Supports structured storytelling activities: Bobby can be used in narrative sessions, circle time, and literacy interventions to help children practise sequencing, retelling, and expressive language.
• Suitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings: With an age range starting from 18 months, Bobby works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups.
• Eco-conscious purchasing: Made predominantly from recycled materials, Bobby supports schools and settings with a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Robust and easy to use: The knitted ECO Sockette design is durable enough for regular classroom use and straightforward to slip on without adult assistance.

At home

Bobby works just as well at home as he does in school. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or speech difficulties will find that introducing a puppet into reading aloud, sound practice, and storytelling activities can take the pressure off and make the experience genuinely enjoyable. The squeaker reliably goes down well with younger children.

Why puppets support children with learning differences

Research and classroom experience consistently show that puppets lower anxiety around speaking and reading tasks. For children with dyslexia, working memory demands can make reading aloud feel stressful. When a puppet mediates the activity, children often find it easier to engage, take turns, and experiment with language. Speech and language therapists regularly use puppets in intervention sessions for exactly this reason, and ECO Sockettes like Bobby are a practical, durable choice for regular use.

Ready to add Bobby to your setting?

Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes hand puppet is available now at The Dyslexia Shop. If you are buying for a school, nursery, or organisation and would like to discuss a bulk order, please contact the team directly.

• Eco-friendly construction: Made predominantly from recycled materials, supporting sustainable purchasing choices for schools and families.
• Built-in tongue squeaker: The squeaker in Bobby's tongue encourages interactive play and draws children into vocal and communication activities.
• Wide expressive mouth: Designed to support silly voices, sound exploration, and storytelling, making Bobby a practical tool for speech and language work.
• Cheerful policeman character: Features a patchwork police hat, blue tones, and a friendly grin - ideal for role play scenarios involving community, rules, and social themes.
• Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Depth 13cm.
• Age suitability: Suitable for children aged 18 months and above; appropriate for adults in professional and therapeutic settings.
• What's included: 1 x Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes hand puppet.
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU/MPN: PC007045

• What is the Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes is a 38cm hand puppet made predominantly from recycled materials by The Puppet Company. He features a built-in tongue squeaker, a wide mouth, and a cheerful patchwork police hat, and is suitable for children aged 18 months and above.
• How does the Bobby puppet help children with dyslexia or communication difficulties?
  The Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet helps children with dyslexia and communication difficulties by reducing the pressure of direct speaking. Children find it easier to practise words, sentences, and storytelling through or to a puppet, as the character creates a safe distance from the activity. Bobby's wide mouth and squeaker make sound and voice exploration fun rather than stressful.
• What age is the Bobby ECO Sockettes hand puppet suitable for?
  The Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet is suitable for children aged 18 months and above. It is widely used by early years practitioners, Key Stage 1 teachers, and SEND support staff, and is equally suitable for adults using Bobby in a therapeutic or professional context.
• Is the Bobby puppet suitable for classroom or school use?
  Yes, the Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet is well suited to classroom use. It is durable, easy to handle, and supports a range of activities including circle time, storytelling, literacy interventions, and speech and language sessions. Its community character theme also makes it useful for PSHE and social skills work.
• Is the Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet eco-friendly?
  Yes, Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes is made predominantly from recycled materials as part of The Puppet Company's ECO range. The range is designed for buyers and settings who want to make more environmentally responsible purchasing choices without compromising on quality or play value.
• Can the Bobby puppet be used in speech and language therapy?
  Yes, hand puppets including the Bobby ECO Sockettes are commonly used by speech and language therapists and SENCOs to support children with communication difficulties. Puppets reduce the anxiety associated with direct speaking, making it easier for children to practise sounds, vocabulary, and conversational turn-taking in a relaxed and engaging way.
• How big is the Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes measures 38cm in height, 14cm in width, and 13cm in depth. This size makes him easy to fit over an adult hand and visible enough for group storytelling and classroom activities.
• Does the Bobby ECO Sockettes puppet have a squeaker?
  Yes, Bobby the Policeman ECO Sockettes has a built-in squeaker in his tongue. The squeaker encourages interactive play and is particularly effective at engaging younger children and drawing reluctant communicators into vocal activities.