Pets: What We Should Do If They Become Too Important
It is quite common to see children between the ages of six months and five years attach to certain objects. It can be a blanket or a small pillow or a toy. For this reason, many parents become anxious when their children become inseparable from their stuffed animals.
This phenomenon stems from the fact that children need to feel safe and secure. When they are in contact with a certain object, they can associate it with the love and togetherness with their parents.
If you are experiencing this situation with your child, this article may be helpful. We look at what happens when a child’s stuffed animal becomes too important and offer some suggestions.
What are comfort toys?
Comfort toys are common objects for children that they find in their environment. They are usually soft and comfortable to wear and have harmonious colors and properties. In addition, they often have the shape of a baby, like a doll, or a non-threatening animal with big eyes, like teddy bears.
This type of toy is usually a source of security and comfort for young children. They can help them fall asleep and not be afraid at night, give a feeling of security.
In addition, it is believed that comfort toys such as rag dolls and teddy bears can give children feelings of love and protection and help them develop a sense of belonging.
Stuffed animals and attachment
While a child may early develop a preference for an object such as a pillow or a blanket, it is the case where the child expresses a strong desire to be in constant contact with an object when it is said that the comfort toy has become too important for the child.
This is because parents usually put these stuffed animals and dolls in the baby’s crib or bed. There, the child not only makes eye contact with the toy, but spends a lot of time with it, which gives a feeling of security at bedtime.
Apart from the child becoming visually familiar with the object, another important factor for a child to become very attached to the object is touch. In fact, it can be even more important.
Many times a child can show love to an old, faithful stuffed animal. Even if it lacks an eye or falls apart in the seams, the softness and security will still appeal to the child.
Advantages and disadvantages of allowing children to have stuffed animals
Although some parents may find it excessive to let the child spend too much time with stuffed animals, the truth is that an emotional bond with a toy has its own benefits. These include comfort, security, security and a pleasant feeling when in contact. Some others include:
Express and channel certain emotions
Children also use their stuffed animals as a way to express their feelings. These can range from their desire to love, hold or protect their beloved teddy bear to deal with situations that they find stressful or painful.
It makes so much sense that when a parent scolds a child for bad behavior, he plays with his beloved teddy bear and repeats the parent’s words to it. In this way, young children learn to assimilate negative experiences by recreating them from a different point of view. This activity also helps them understand their own behavior.
When does the toy become too important?
There are some very good reasons that children’s affective attachment to their stuffed animals can be seen as comforting and good for their emotional development.
It should be noted, however, that if a child is five years of age or older and is completely dependent on their stuffed animal to the point that he or she does not want to do anything without it, then we recommend that you seek the expertise of a psychologist.
These comfort toys should serve as transition points in the management of emotions and situations. Still, the child should be able to handle the attachment in a healthy way.
Finally, remember to keep your children’s toys hygienic because it is also very important, especially those made of fabric. Therefore, you should wash them regularly to avoid allergic reactions and the spread of infection.
