Why role play and the Cool Jobs Pocket Tonies supports kids’ development

You know that age-old question that everyone loves to ask kids and kids also love to talk about: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Whether they dream of becoming an astronaut, a pizza chef, or a photographer, these imaginative answers are always good for a chuckle. But behind those funny responses lies a real curiosity about the world around them, and that’s where role play comes in.

Published 29/08/24 by Amy Blanchard

Why role play and the Cool Jobs Pocket Tonies supports kids’ development

New
hero-1

Cool Jobs

Cool Jobs

£19.99

The Cool Jobs Clever Pocket Tonies are tools that build knowledge and help your child dream big. With a mix of history, fun facts and real interviews, this Clever Pocket Tonie set is a compact guide for all little job seekers who love to engage in a bit of make-believe. Ready to meet the team?

The Rocket Scientist

//images.ctfassets.net/l6vo76cztcax/2kbBg81lmLkvVIwaovw4Fn/876f3251b9cfcf90bddc2d9cca1e5183/197.pngBlast off into the cosmos with this Clever Pocket Tonie! Kids can dive right into the explosive history of rocket launches, and get to know a real scientist in action. They’ll go on a fascinating journey through the galaxy, learning lots of fun facts and exciting stories about space.

The Wildlife Photographer

//images.ctfassets.net/l6vo76cztcax/3kobbsTP1IiPOpPUmWvvzg/2ff8db7a1315b041c09f0084d2235b15/196.pngThis Clever Pocket Tonie is perfect for kids who love animals and the great outdoors. They’ll learn about patience, observation, and the importance of staying very, very still. They’ll also meet a present day wildlife photographer and develop an appreciation for photography – a skill they can use to capture memories, and maybe even snap that perfect shot for National Geographic one day.

The Doctor

//images.ctfassets.net/l6vo76cztcax/5DY0OBEFbAXmKSbOR0ImQd/971065944411ec5bb6357ab49c600238/195.pngPaging Dr. Jackie! This Clever Pocket Tonie is here to teach your kiddo all about the medical world and they’ll get to know a real life paediatrician as she treats patients throughout the day. From diagnosing flu to bandaging up scrapes, kids can role play their way through scenarios that build empathy, critical thinking, and an understanding of how important it is to help others.

The Pizza Maker

//images.ctfassets.net/l6vo76cztcax/2xiEOspHjSqzHZPO4o7xRN/7b4faff2c23f0904037b33d8619762f8/Blog_entry_images__4_.pngWhether your child is a budding chef or just really loves pizza (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), this Clever Pocket Tonie lets them meet a famous pizza artist and go on a delicious journey through history. Also called “pizzaiolos”, a Pizza Maker is a job with a tomato-rich history and some unexpected acrobatics thrown in. 

How is each Cool Jobs Clever Pocket Tonie set out?

Every Clever Pocket Tonie tracklist is like a mini adventure, designed to educate and entertain children as they explore different jobs. Here’s what you can expect:

  1. The travel back: First, we hop into our imaginary time machine and zoom back in time to learn about the history of each job. 

  2. Fact attack: Next up, it’s game time! In the Fact Attack, your child will take part in a true or false game that tests their knowledge of the job so far. It’s fast, fun, and a great way to reinforce what they’ve learnt.

  3. Ask an expert: Now, we bring in the pros. We chat with real-life experts who are already whizzes at the job. Your kids will get to hear from a rocket scientist, a wildlife photographer, and more, learning insider tips and tricks.

  4. Fast forward: After that, it’s time to leap into the future! We take a peek at how the role might change and adapt in the years to come. This part helps to spark their imagination and forward-thinking.

  5. After the episode: Last but not least, we encourage listeners to take what they’ve learnt and run with it. This includes a fun activity for kids and their grown-ups to do together, keeping the fun going long after the Pocket Tonie has been taken off the Toniebox.

Now let's take a look at how each Clever Pocket Tonie is organised. Spoiler alert: they’re packed with fun and learning!

So, why does role play matter?

Great question! When kids engage in role play, they’re not just having fun – they’re learning how the world works. They’re exploring new ideas, developing social skills, and gaining the confidence to try new things. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways for kids to learn – it allows them to engage with situations in a hands-on way, making the experience more memorable than just being told about it. Plus, they’re doing it all in a safe, low-pressure environment where the biggest mistake they can make is putting pineapple on a pizza (which, let’s face it, is a huge debate all on its own).

Role play is about more than just pretending. It’s about preparing your child for the future – while making sure they have a blast along the way. And who knows? Maybe one day, they’ll grow up to be a real-life rocket scientist, pizza maker, wildlife photographer, or doctor. (Just remember who gave them the idea first!)

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a set of four Cool Jobs Clever Pocket Tonies today and let your child’s imagination take the lead. 

Related posts

How to make maths fun for kids with Rachel Riley

How to make maths fun for kids with Rachel Riley

Read more
Learning in disguise with the new Alphablocks and Numberblocks Clever Pocket Tonies

Learning in disguise with the new Alphablocks and Numberblocks Clever Pocket Tonies

Read more
5 reasons to introduce classical music to kids

5 reasons to introduce classical music to kids

Read more
Say hello to Clever Pocket Tonies: New Tonies for big curious minds!

Say hello to Clever Pocket Tonies: New Tonies for big curious minds!

Read more
Support your child’s early learning with Peppa Pig

Support your child’s early learning with Peppa Pig

Read more

About Amy Blanchard

Amy Blanchard
...
Amy’s favourite Tonie is Matilda. From a very young age, she was utterly obsessed with Matilda. She watched and read it so many times that she practically had the whole script memorised. As she grew older, she remained just like Matilda, a bookworm, a trickster, and a dreamer!