Sammy is a showstopping ECO Sockettes hand puppet from The Puppet Company, made from 97% recycled materials. Measuring 38cm tall, Sammy is dressed in bold red, blue, and white stripes, complete with a top hat and tie that make him a real standout. Embroidered eyes, a friendly face, a built-in squeaker in his tongue, and a wide, expressive mouth make him an engaging and interactive tool for imaginative play, performance-based communication, and storytelling. Suitable for children aged 18 months and above and loved by adults too, Sammy brings personality, flair, and educational value in equal measure.

How Sammy helps with communication and learning

For 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. Sammy's theatrical, showman-style character naturally invites performance - children want to give him a voice, put on a show, and take centre stage alongside him, which creates a self-motivated, high-engagement context for language development.

This kind of performance-based approach to communication is particularly effective for children with dyslexia, where turning speaking into a deliberate, expressive act rather than a measured, assessed task can significantly reduce anxiety. The wide mouth and squeaker support bold vocal play and confident expression, and Sammy's top hat and tie give children a clear character frame to step into and own.

Why Sammy works well in schools and early years settings

• Outstanding performance character: Sammy's top hat, tie, and striped design make him one of the most theatrical characters in the ECO Sockettes range, giving practitioners a natural hook for performance poetry, drama-based literacy, public speaking practice, and show-and-tell activities across EYFS and Key Stage 1.
• Supports confidence building in speaking: The showman character gives children permission to be bold, loud, and expressive, which is particularly valuable for children with dyslexia who have learned to be cautious or self-conscious about speaking aloud.
• Reduces speaking anxiety through performance framing: By positioning speaking as a performance rather than an assessment, Sammy helps children separate expression from evaluation - one of the most effective ways to reduce communication anxiety in children with learning differences.
• Made from 97% recycled materials: Among the most sustainably produced puppets in the ECO Sockettes range, Sammy supports schools and settings with strong environmental procurement policies.
• Suitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings: With an age range starting from 18 months, Sammy works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where drama, performance, and puppet-based communication activities remain effective tools.

At home

Sammy is just as effective at home as he is in school. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties will find that his showman character can transform reluctant reading and language activities into something children actively want to perform. A puppet with a top hat has a remarkable ability to get children out of their seats and into their voices, which is exactly where communication development happens.

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, the demands of reading aloud or retelling a story can feel daunting. When a puppet mediates the activity, children typically find it easier to engage, take turns, and experiment with language. Performance-based and drama-led approaches are particularly well evidenced for supporting children with dyslexia, and Sammy's theatrical character makes him a natural tool for exactly this kind of work. His 97% recycled construction also makes him a responsible, durable choice for settings that use puppets regularly.

Ready to add Sammy to your setting?

Sammy 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.

• Made from 97% recycled materials: Among the most sustainably produced puppets in The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range, supporting environmentally responsible purchasing for schools and families.
• Built-in tongue squeaker: Encourages interactive play and draws children into vocal and communication activities naturally.
• Wide expressive mouth: Supports bold voice play, sound exploration, and performance-based storytelling, making Sammy a highly practical tool for drama-led communication work.
• Theatrical showman design: Bold red, blue, and white stripes with a top hat and tie, plus embroidered eyes and a friendly face - one of the most performance-ready characters in the ECO Sockettes range.
• Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Length 13cm.
• Age suitability: Suitable for children aged 18 months and above; appropriate for adults in professional and therapeutic settings.
• What's included: 1 x Sammy ECO Sockettes hand puppet.
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU/MPN: PC007027

• What is the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Sammy ECO Sockettes is a 38cm hand puppet from The Puppet Company, made from 97% recycled materials. He features bold red, blue, and white stripes with a top hat and tie, embroidered eyes, a friendly face, and a built-in tongue squeaker, and is suitable for children aged 18 months and above.
• How does the Sammy puppet help children with dyslexia or communication difficulties?
  The Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet helps children with dyslexia and communication difficulties by framing speaking as a performance. His theatrical showman character gives children permission to be bold, expressive, and loud, reducing the anxiety of speaking aloud by turning it into a deliberate performance rather than an assessed task. Performance-based approaches are well evidenced for supporting children with dyslexia, and Sammy is a natural tool for this kind of work.
• What age is the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet suitable for?
  The Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet is suitable for children aged 18 months and above. He is used by early years practitioners, Key Stage 1 teachers, and SEND support staff, and is equally appropriate for adults using Sammy in a theatrical, therapeutic, or professional context.
• Is the Sammy puppet suitable for classroom or school use?
  Yes, the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet is well suited to classroom use. His theatrical character makes him particularly effective for performance poetry, drama-based literacy, public speaking practice, and show-and-tell activities, as well as circle time, storytelling, and speech and language support sessions.
• Is the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet eco-friendly?
  Yes, Sammy is made from 97% recycled materials, placing him among the most sustainably produced puppets in The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range. He is a strong choice for schools and settings with environmental or sustainable procurement policies.
• Can the Sammy puppet be used in speech and language therapy?
  Yes, hand puppets including the Sammy ECO Sockettes are used by speech and language therapists and SENCOs to support children with communication difficulties. Sammy's theatrical character is particularly effective for encouraging bold vocal expression, volume control, and performance-based communication - areas where drama-led approaches have strong evidential support for children with dyslexia.
• How big is the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Sammy measures 38cm in height, 14cm in width, and 13cm in length. This size makes him comfortable to fit over an adult hand and visible enough for performance, group storytelling, and classroom activities.
• Does the Sammy ECO Sockettes puppet have a squeaker?
  Yes, Sammy has a built-in squeaker in his tongue. The squeaker adds to his showman character and is particularly effective at drawing children into bold, expressive vocal activities and interactive play.