Cuddly Toys’ Role in a Kid’s Development
We all remember our favourite cuddly toy from when we were growing up. But what you may not remember is how they helped us develop some key skills and values. It may sound far-fetched, but think about it: for most children the first connection they really build outside their family is with their beloved soft toy.
From comfort to companionship and beyond, soft toys are an ideal companion for those first adventures. But those adventures are key for a kid’s development. So next time you look at a soft, cuddly toy - whether it’s your old weathered first teddy, or a new fluffy sloth for your family’s latest - see what we see:
Comfort and confidence.
Babies love to touch and feel new textures, and soft toys can provide the perfect mix for developing sensory skills and encouraging social and emotional growth. Once their soft toy has become their first bestie, it provides them with the confidence to tackle more sociable situations too: from sleeping somewhere new to their first day of school and beyond.
Imagination and compassion.
From intergalactic destinations to ecstatic superpowers; a soft toy can become a kid’s partner in crime, one that’ll never judge them on their wild imagination and always on the same page. With so many roles and adventures together, learning how to care is also a key learning a soft toy can help learn.
Emotions and language.
Kids learn empathy along with socialising, names and language as well. Different cuddly toys help kids learn words and sounds of the animals and creatures they represent. Many kids love to share their emotions and express new things in front of their silent friend– their stuffed animal. With such emotion, a parent can understand the behaviour of their cute baby and do parenting according to it.
All-in-all, it appears cuddly toys do a lot more than just sit there – even if they just… Sit there. They play different roles at different stages of a kid’s life, so keep what you’ve learnt in mind when looking to surprise a little loved one.
Discover our range of cuddly toys here.
