Scorch is the original Sockette - the character that started The Puppet Company's best-loved ECO Sockettes collection - and has been a firm favourite since his debut. Made from 99% recycled materials and measuring 38cm tall, Scorch features bright blue and pink colours with contrasting ears, a friendly embroidered face, a built-in squeaker in his tongue, and a wide, expressive mouth. Suitable for children aged 18 months and above and loved by adults too, Scorch is the character that proved the Sockettes concept and remains one of the most enduringly popular puppets in the range.

How Scorch 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. Scorch's cheerful, open-ended design makes him a flexible and approachable character across a wide range of communication and literacy activities, and his proven, long-standing appeal means children and adults connect with him quickly and naturally.

The wide mouth and built-in squeaker encourage voice play, sound exploration, and expressive language, supporting phonological awareness and confidence in speaking. Scorch's bright blue and pink colouring and contrasting ears give him a clear, engaging visual presence that holds children's attention during learning activities without being overstimulating.

Why Scorch works well in schools and early years settings

• The original, proven character: Scorch was the first Sockette, created by The Puppet Company's Co-Founder, and has been a favourite since his debut. This track record of consistent popularity across children and adults of all ages makes him one of the most reliably effective characters in the range for educational and therapeutic use.
• Versatile across all activities: As the original open-ended Sockette character, Scorch works across circle time, storytelling, emotional literacy, speech and language intervention, phonics sessions, and imaginative play without requiring specific props or themes to be effective.
• Reduces speaking anxiety: Puppets create a helpful distance between the child and the activity, making participation more accessible for reluctant speakers and children with learning differences who find direct communication challenging.
• Outstanding eco credentials: Made from 99% recycled materials, Scorch is among the most sustainably produced puppets in the ECO Sockettes range, making him an excellent choice for schools and settings with environmental procurement policies.
• Suitable across EYFS, KS1, and SEND settings: With an age range starting from 18 months, Scorch works across Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and older SEND support groups where puppet-based activities remain a valued communication and literacy tool.

At home

Scorch is just as effective at home as he is in school. Parents supporting children with dyslexia or communication difficulties will find that his cheerful, warm character makes reading aloud, sound practice, and storytelling activities feel genuinely inviting. His long history of being loved by children of all ages is reflected in how quickly new children tend to take to him - there is a reason this particular puppet started a whole collection.

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 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 fear of getting things wrong. Speech and language therapists regularly incorporate puppets into structured intervention sessions for exactly this reason, and Scorch's enduring appeal and 99% recycled construction make him one of the most practical and responsible choices in the range for settings that use puppets regularly.

Ready to add Scorch to your setting?

Scorch 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.

• The original Sockette: Scorch is the character that started The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes collection and has been a favourite since his debut, with a proven track record of consistent appeal across all ages.
• Made from 99% recycled materials: One of 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 voice exploration, sound play, and storytelling, making Scorch a practical tool for speech and language work.
• Classic character design: Bright blue and pink colours with contrasting ears and a friendly embroidered face - vibrant, approachable, and engaging in both group and one-to-one settings.
• Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 14cm x Length 13cm.
• Materials: 99% 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 Scorch ECO Sockettes hand puppet.
• Brand: The Puppet Company
• SKU/MPN: PC007022

• What is the Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Scorch ECO Sockettes is a 38cm hand puppet from The Puppet Company and the original Sockette - the character that started the entire collection. Made from 99% recycled materials, Scorch features bright blue and pink colours with contrasting ears, a friendly embroidered face, and a built-in tongue squeaker. Suitable for children aged 18 months and above, he has been a favourite since his debut.
• Why is Scorch called the original Sockette?
  Scorch was the first character created in The Puppet Company's Sockettes collection, dreamt up by the company's Co-Founder. He has been a firm favourite since his debut and is the character whose success led to the full ECO Sockettes range being developed. Buying Scorch means starting with the puppet that started it all.
• How does the Scorch puppet help children with dyslexia or communication difficulties?
  The Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet helps children with dyslexia and communication difficulties by reducing the anxiety around direct speaking. His open-ended, cheerful character works flexibly across storytelling, phonics, speech and language intervention, and emotional literacy sessions. The wide mouth and squeaker make voice play engaging, and his long-standing popularity means children and adults connect with him quickly and naturally.
• What age is the Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet suitable for?
  The Scorch 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 Scorch in a therapeutic or professional context.
• Is the Scorch puppet suitable for classroom or school use?
  Yes, the Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet is well suited to classroom use. His versatile, open-ended character works effectively across circle time, storytelling, literacy interventions, phonics sessions, emotional literacy work, and speech and language support, without requiring specific props or themed materials.
• Is the Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet eco-friendly?
  Yes, Scorch is made from 99% recycled materials, placing him among the most sustainably produced puppets in The Puppet Company's ECO Sockettes range. He is an excellent choice for schools and settings with environmental or sustainable procurement policies.
• Can the Scorch puppet be used in speech and language therapy?
  Yes, hand puppets including Scorch ECO Sockettes are widely used by speech and language therapists and SENCOs to support children with communication difficulties. Scorch's approachable, open-ended character works across a wide range of intervention activities, and his proven popularity makes him easy for children to engage with from the first session.
• How big is the Scorch ECO Sockettes puppet?
  Scorch 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 group storytelling and classroom activities.