It is a dreaded task that all moms face multiple times a day: cleaning up the toy room. As they are putting away toys and sorting a bookshelf, a realization may come to them. Why does their child have so many stuffed animals? They seem to pile up and mom can often wonder what the purpose of these animals are. It is not uncommon for young children to gravitate towards stuffed animals, and most have just assumed that it is because they are cute and cuddly.
However, according to Romper, it goes much deeper than that. There is a reason why children gravitate towards their stuffed friends when they are at the store or when they want something to hold at night.
Beth Tyson is a psychotherapist and children’s book author, and she states that children love stuffed animals so much because they offer a sense of safety, predictability and comfort. The world is overwhelming to adults at time, so we can only imagine how large and scary it can be to children. Children experience anxiety just as adults do, and the first thing they are going to look for is something that will provide them support.
This idea is further supported by Katie Lear, a licensed mental health counselor who also added that stuffed animals are unique because they are a “multi-sensory experience.” That is why sometimes mommy isn't enough for support during difficult times. Stuffed animals have button eyes, and colored fur, and they feel soft and squishy. Some children have even reported that their stuffed animal has a specific smell. These items are there for your child when they need it, and an attachment is developed. It is something they can trust to stay the same and provide nothing but love and cuddles.
Stuffed animals are also not that different from another popular comfort item, security blankets. A large study was done on attachment items and 31% of children said that they would prefer a soft teddy bear, 7% would choose a hard-plastic toy and the remainder would reach for the blanket or piece of cloth. If mom is worried that her child wants a stuffed animal’s comfort more than hers, she shouldn’t worry. Children often choose stuffed animals to use when mommy or daddy cannot be there. They are using them as a way to remind them of their parent’s love and nurture. Maybe it is a good idea to take them to a store, and let them pick one out for their very own to be a special friend to them when they need it most.
Source: Romper