{"product_id":"dylan-eco-sockettes","title":"Dylan – ECO Sockettes","description":"\u003cp\u003eDylan is one of The Puppet Company's most popular ECO Sockettes characters, made from 97% recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall, Dylan features trademark glasses, a stripy tie, and antennae, with embroidered eyes and a wide, expressive mouth. A built-in squeaker in his tongue adds an element of interactive fun, and his distinctive appearance makes him a reliable attention-grabber from 18 months of age through to adult use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Dylan helps with communication and learning\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor children with dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, or other learning differences, puppets offer a low-pressure route into spoken language. When a child speaks through or alongside a puppet, the anxiety of direct communication reduces significantly, making it easier to practise words, sentences, and ideas. Dylan's quirky character - with his glasses and tie - lends itself naturally to scenarios involving curiosity, questions, and exploration, all of which are rich territory for vocabulary and language development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe wide mouth and built-in squeaker encourage children to play with voice, tone, and expression, supporting phonological awareness and confidence in speaking. Dylan is a characterful enough puppet to hold the attention of children who find it difficult to sustain focus during literacy or communication activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Dylan works well in schools and early years settings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHighly engaging character:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dylan's glasses, tie, and antennae make him instantly recognisable and memorable, giving children a strong anchor for storytelling, role play, and communication activities across EYFS and Key Stage 1.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupports open-ended questioning and curiosity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dylan's look invites children to ask and answer questions in character, which is particularly valuable for developing questioning skills, inferencing, and comprehension - areas where children with dyslexia often benefit from structured practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces speaking anxiety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Puppets create a safe distance between the child and the activity, making vocal participation feel more accessible for reluctant speakers and children who find direct communication challenging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEco-conscious purchasing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Made from 97% recycled materials, Dylan is among the most sustainably made puppets in the ECO Sockettes range and supports schools and settings with strong environmental procurement policies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings:\u003c\/strong\u003e With an age range starting from 18 months, Dylan works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where imaginative play and puppet-based intervention remain effective tools.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAt home\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDylan works just as well at home as he does in school. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties will find that introducing a puppet into reading aloud, sound practice, and storytelling can reduce the pressure on the child and make the activity considerably more enjoyable. Dylan's personality tends to spark conversation with very little prompting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy puppets support children with learning differences\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eResearch and classroom experience consistently show that puppets lower anxiety around speaking and reading tasks. For children with dyslexia, working memory demands can make activities like reading aloud or retelling a story feel stressful. When a puppet mediates the\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Puppet Company Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57508534354302,"sku":"TA2381","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/6560\/6649\/files\/Dylan-Eco-Sockettes-PC007014-1-copy-3-scaled-1.jpg?v=1780564944","url":"https:\/\/www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk\/products\/dylan-eco-sockettes","provider":"The Dyslexia Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}