{"product_id":"gloria-eco-sockettes","title":"Gloria – ECO Sockettes","description":"\u003cp\u003eGloria is one of The Puppet Company's most popular ECO Sockettes characters, made from 74% recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall, Gloria features a rainbow-striped body, pink glasses, vibrant purple hair, and a friendly embroidered face, alongside a built-in squeaker in her tongue and a wide, expressive mouth. Suitable for children aged 18 months and above and loved by adults too, Gloria is a vivid and engaging tool for imaginative play, storytelling, and communication development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Gloria 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 to a puppet, the anxiety of direct communication reduces, making it easier to practise words, sentences, and ideas. Gloria's bold, rainbow design and distinctive features make her immediately attention-grabbing, which is particularly helpful when working with children who benefit from strong visual anchors during learning activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer wide mouth and built-in squeaker encourage voice play, sound exploration, and expressive language, supporting phonological awareness and confidence in speaking. As one of the most popular characters in the Sockettes range, Gloria has a proven track record of engaging children and adults across a wide variety of educational and therapeutic settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gloria works well in schools and early years settings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional visual appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gloria's rainbow stripes, pink glasses, and purple hair make her one of the most visually striking puppets in the ECO Sockettes range. Children respond to her immediately, making her a reliable tool for capturing attention at the start of sessions and sustaining engagement throughout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupports diversity and inclusion conversations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gloria's vibrant, colourful design lends itself naturally to discussions around colour, difference, and individuality, making her a useful character for circle time and PSHE activities as well as literacy and communication work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces speaking anxiety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Puppets create a helpful distance between the child and the activity, making participation more accessible for reluctant speakers and children who find direct communication challenging or stressful.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade from recycled materials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crafted from 74% recycled materials, Gloria supports schools and settings with a commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible purchasing.\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, Gloria works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where puppet-based activities remain an effective intervention tool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAt home\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGloria is just as effective at home as she is in the classroom. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties will find that a puppet as engaging as Gloria can transform reading aloud, sound practice, and storytelling from a source of anxiety into something genuinely enjoyable. Her striking appearance tends to get children talking and engaged quickly, with very little need for encouragement.\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 reduce anxiety around speaking and reading tasks. For children with dyslexia, the cognitive demands of reading aloud or retelling a story can feel overwhelming. When a puppet mediates the activity, children typically find it easier to engage, take turns, and experiment with language without the fear of making mistakes. Speech and language therapists regularly incorporate puppets into structured intervention sessions for exactly this reason, and a character as vivid and memorable as Gloria can be particularly effective at drawing in children who might otherwise be reluctant to participate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReady to add Gloria to your setting?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGloria the 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Puppet Company Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57508594385278,"sku":"TA2384","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/6560\/6649\/files\/Gloria-Eco-Sockettes-PC007015-1-copy-3-scaled-1.jpg?v=1780565574","url":"https:\/\/www.thedyslexiashop.co.uk\/products\/gloria-eco-sockettes","provider":"The Dyslexia Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}