Here's why:
* Spelling: The vowel "a" is followed by a consonant ("d") and another consonant ("d"). This is a common indicator of a short vowel sound.
* Sound: The "a" in "ladder" sounds similar to the "a" in "cat" or "hat". These are classic examples of short vowel sounds.
Let me know if you'd like to explore other words with short or long vowel sounds!