Buttons is a brightly coloured monster hand puppet from The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, made from 89% recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall with contrasting fur, chunky decorative buttons, and an embroidered face full of personality, Buttons 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 Buttons helps with communication and learning

For children with dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, or other learning differences, puppets like Buttons offer a low-pressure route into spoken language. When a child speaks through or to a puppet, the anxiety around direct communication reduces, making it easier to practise words, sentences, and ideas. Buttons' bold, eye-catching design naturally draws children in, and his built-in squeaker adds an element of surprise that keeps younger children engaged.

The wide mouth encourages children to explore different voices, sounds, and expressions, supporting phonological awareness, vocabulary development, and confidence in speaking. Monster characters are particularly effective in early years settings because children often find it easier to project emotions and ideas onto an exaggerated, fantastical character rather than a realistic one.

Why Buttons works well in schools and early years settings

• Reduces speaking anxiety: Puppets create a helpful distance between the child and the conversation, which is especially valuable for children who find speaking aloud stressful or who are reluctant communicators.
• Supports emotions and social skills work: Monster characters are well suited to sessions exploring feelings, social scenarios, and emotional vocabulary, giving children a safe and engaging way to talk through experiences.
• Suitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings: With a starting age of 18 months, Buttons works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where imaginative play remains a core tool.
• Eco-conscious purchasing: Made from 89% recycled materials, Buttons supports schools and settings with a commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible procurement.
• Durable and easy to handle: The knitted ECO Sockette construction is robust enough for regular classroom use and simple to slip on without adult assistance.

At home

Buttons is equally at home on the kitchen table as he is in the classroom. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties at home will find that introducing a puppet into reading aloud, sound practice, and storytelling can take the pressure off and make the whole experience more enjoyable. The squeaker is invariably a hit with younger children.

Why puppets support children with learning differences

Research and classroom experience consistently show that puppets reduce anxiety around speaking and reading tasks. For children with dyslexia, working memory demands can make reading aloud feel daunting. When a puppet mediates the activity, children often find it easier to engage, take turns, and experiment with language without fear of getting things wrong. Speech and language therapists regularly incorporate puppets into intervention sessions for exactly this reason, and the ECO Sockettes range offers a durable, responsibly made choice for settings that use puppets regularly.

Ready to add Buttons to your setting?

Buttons the ECO Sockettes monster 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.

• Made from 89% recycled materials: Part of The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, supporting sustainable purchasing choices for schools and families.
• Built-in tongue squeaker: The squeaker encourages interactive play and draws children into vocal and communication activities naturally.
• Wide expressive mouth: Supports voice exploration, sound play, and storytelling, making Buttons a practical tool for speech and language work.
• Distinctive monster design: Features contrasting fur, signature chunky decorative buttons, and an eye-catching embroidered face - bold enough to capture attention in a group setting.
• Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Length 13cm.
• Materials: 89% recycled knitted textile fabric.
• Age suitability: Suitable for children aged 18 months and above; appropriate for adults in professional and therapeutic settings.
• What's included: 1 x Buttons ECO Sockettes monster hand puppet.
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU/MPN: PC007031

• What is the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Buttons is a 38cm monster hand puppet from The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, made from 89% recycled materials. He features contrasting fur, chunky decorative buttons, an embroidered face, and a built-in tongue squeaker, and is suitable for children aged 18 months and above.
• How does the Buttons puppet help children with dyslexia or communication difficulties?
  The Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet helps children with dyslexia and communication difficulties by lowering the pressure of direct speaking. Children find it easier to practise words, sentences, and storytelling through or alongside a puppet, as the character creates a safe distance from the activity. Buttons' bold monster design and squeaker make sound and voice exploration engaging rather than stressful.
• What age is the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet suitable for?
  The Buttons 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 Buttons in a therapeutic or professional setting.
• Is the Buttons puppet suitable for classroom or school use?
  Yes, the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet is well suited to classroom use. He is durable, easy to handle, and supports a wide range of activities including circle time, storytelling, literacy interventions, emotional literacy sessions, and speech and language support. His monster character makes him particularly useful for exploring feelings and social scenarios.
• Is the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet eco-friendly?
  Yes, Buttons is made from 89% recycled materials as part of The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range. The range is designed for buyers and settings who want to make environmentally responsible purchasing choices without sacrificing quality or play value.
• Can the Buttons puppet be used in speech and language therapy?
  Yes, hand puppets including the Buttons 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 enjoyable way.
• How big is the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Buttons measures 38cm in height, 14cm in width, and 13cm in length. This size makes him straightforward to fit over an adult hand and visible enough for group storytelling and classroom activities.
• Does the Buttons ECO Sockettes puppet have a squeaker?
  Yes, Buttons has a built-in squeaker in his tongue. The squeaker is particularly effective at engaging younger children and encouraging reluctant communicators to join in with vocal play and interactive activities.