If there is one toy that is an important part of growing up, it’s definitely a child’s teddy bear or stuffed toys.
We often wonder why our little one is so attached to their plushies and hold onto them for as long as they can. They bring their unicorn stuffed toy with them to bed, have their bear stuffed toy sit beside them during mealtimes, and even reserve a space for their stuffed toy dog in the car on the way to some place.
Suffice to say, a stuffed toy easily becomes our child’s first friend and they continue to be their source of comfort and companionship as they age. But why do kids love and cherish these cuddly soft creations so much? Let’s learn more about stuffed toy animals.
What are stuffed toys?
According to the Collins English Dictionary, it is a “toy animal made with fabric and filled with stuffing.” The term is synonymous with stuffed animals and plushies.
What is their role in your child’s development?
Stuffed toys are more than just a toy for your little one. They provide a host of benefits and keep your child happy in ways you can never fathom.
Relationships: Come to think of it, for some kids, the first relationship they develop outside the family circle is with their plushie. They are readily available 24/7 and especially during those times a kid’s parents are not. Children give their stuffed toys names and are on top of taking care of them. They even introduce them to everyone. In a way, stuffed toys teach kids how to love something (or someone) and ensure they are well taken care of. They help your child develop healthy attachments.
Sense of security and immeasurable level of comfort: A child carrying their stuffed toys around, lovingly wrapped in their arms — and at times even dragging it behind them — are common scenarios in many homes. A stuffed animal is a popular lovey, a term for objects that bring comfort and security. Also called a transitional object, it can help a child adjust to changes around them and reduce the stress these transitions can cause. No wonder a preschooler holds their plushie close and cuddles them when they need to enter a classroom for the first time because knowing they have a familiar object in an unfamiliar situation gives them the courage to face anything.
Pretend play: When your child engages in pretend play, they gain a better understanding of the world around them. They discover different roles in life, especially when their stuffed toy is their pal, teacher, customer, patient, and more. By doing dramatic plays with their stuffed toys, kids also talk to their plushies and this can help develop their vocabulary and speech. Playing with their stuffed animal also fosters creative imagination as your little one creates various scenarios to act out.
What should you consider when buying a stuffed toy for your child?
It’s important to consider the age of the child. Check the age recommendations at the packaging so you’ll know if it will suit your kid or not. You might also want to buy stuffed animals that fall under your child’s interests as well as gender — what type of animal they like or any specific designs they would love.
Tempted to buy a life-sized teddy bear for your newborn or toddler? Oops, think again. Small children should not be left with stuffed toys that are too large as this can cause suffocation, especially when placed inside their crib. Anything too big that can fall on them can also increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Safety is paramount, so ensure there are no small parts that are choking hazards to young children. Also make sure that all details attached to the toy are securely sewn and do not come off easily. There should also be no sharp objects on the plushie and no details that can cause strangulation.
And because these stuffed toys will be heavily used by your child, it’s only a must to get those that are made of high quality materials and with securely sewn seams.
How to wash stuffed toys?
It’s easy to clean your child’s favorite plushie without ruining it. And you should do so regularly because they get dusty and dirty with all the tugging and throwing by your little one.
Check the label of the toy if it can be tossed into the washing machine. If it is safe, put the plushie in a mesh laundry bag and run a cold cycle with detergent to wash it. Use different bags for each stuffed toy.
Machine wash is not recommended for stuffed animals with electronic parts. Instead, hand-wash them in a basin with cold water and detergent. Just soak the plushie and squeeze soapy water through it. Do not wring the toy, just continue squeezing under running water until ready for air-drying.
Now that you know the ins and outs of stuffed toys, check out stuffed toys for your little bean here.
