As your children start to gain a little independence of their own, crawling around the house and seeking out new experiences, they might develop a strong emotional attachment to a special stuffed animal, toy, or blanket. Psychologists call these items transitional objects, which are items that give kids a sense of security in new or scary situations. Soft, cuddly children’s toys are some of the most common transitional objects; however, kids can develop an attachment to any item.

Understanding Transitional Objects

What Makes an Effective Transitional Object?

While you might shower your baby with stuffed dolls, plush children’s toys, and a variety of other wonderful items, kids will generally choose a transitional object on their own. They may develop a bond with their oldest toy, one that is brand new, or even a random object with no special significance at all.

Are Transitional Objects Emotionally Healthy?

Some parents worry that using a children’s toy for emotional support is a sign of immaturity, but rest assured it’s a perfectly normal part of childhood development. Generally, children start to seek out comforting objects between the ages of 8 to 12 months and may hold onto it until they’re two. Eventually, the bond will weaken as they become more confident.

What Should You Do If Your Child Adopts a Comfort Object?

Transitional objects can also be useful for you, making it easier for your child to go to sleep at night and reducing the anxiety of attending daycare and meeting new people. Just make sure your child has their special object around when they need it, and consider purchasing a duplicate. If they choose a plush bear or other children’s toy, getting a second one right away will let you switch them out for cleaning and minimize wear and tear. Just make sure you get the second one soon, or it will be too different from their first comfort object.

As the biggest children’s toy store in New York’s Westchester County, Toy Box features a wide selection of products for children of all ages. Their friendly staff has helped parents pick out the perfect toy for over 40 years. To help you surprise your child, they offer free gift wrapping and parking to make the shopping experience easier. Visit their website to browse their products and call (914) 698-7110 to ask about a particular product.