As a child, your first friend is a stuffed animal, or a teddy bear. Teddy bears offer a lot to a developing child, and so are vital for complete child development. Here are some ways in which stuffed animals help in your child’s development.
SOCIALIZATION
Stuffed toys are more than just mere toys, and they help children cultivate their first relationship. Children will give their stuffed toy a new name and assign them new characteristics. This strong bond with the stuffed toy teaches the child valuable lessons like how to socialize, how to care, how to empathize and share etc. Additionally, stuffed toys offer children comfort, companionship, friendship, and more.
LEARN LANGUAGE EASILY
Stuffed toys also serve as great audiences for a developing baby. Children talk with their stuffed toys repeatedly, trying out new words and practicing difficult words. As the child continuously tries speaking to the stuffed toy, it gets better and more confident.
This conversation with stuffed toys is absolutely important as it helps the child express emotion, share thoughts and give voice.
IMAGINATION TO FINITE LEVEL
For most kids, there is no time limit to playtime with their teddy bears. And so, their teddy bear could become a superhero, a princess from another galaxy, or anything the child loves and is interested in embarking on adventures with. This kind of imagination is very important in the child’s development as it helps the child relate better to the world around him.
As a parent, you shouldn’t underestimate the gravity and importance of your child’s playtime. At an early age, even a stuffed dinosaur can be a teacher, companion, best mate, and also a safety blanket to your child. This enables your kid to develop the much-needed social skills like sharing and caring that will pave the way for the child to grow up into a socially responsible adult.
CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE
You might have noticed your child feels more comfortable cuddling or sometimes just touching a stuffed toy. Cuddling a toy, stroking the fur, or holding it tightly could help the child reduce a significant amount of stress. Playing with such a familiar stuffed toy can give the child the courage to embark on new challenges and secure wins over them.
ENCOURAGE COMPASSION
Letting children play with stuffed toys is also very important for building the child’s compassion, as it develops their desire to connect with people. Generally, children consider a stuffed toy as another person and so, when they play with it, they do so like they would with another child. They would often chat, care for, express themselves towards the stuffed toy, and do much more which will enhance their development. They keep their teddy bears nicely and take care as a mother takes care of her child.
SELF SOOTHE
When a child spends his/her day with a stuffed toy, the immediate need for a parent reduces. Children could spend the whole day playing with their favorite stuffed toy and may not need any help from their parents or caretakers. Cuddling their stuffed toy could also provide instant relief from stress and loneliness if they need it.
