For all of us, our first friend is none other than the soft and furry teddy bear or some other animal toy. So your toddler or kid will also get attached to soft toys just like the way you did. Many researchers have proven that soft toys play an integral part in the kids and toddlers growth and development and also have positive effects on their cognitive development. Soft toys provide a sense of comfort to toddlers. The soft toys have a slight edge over the normal toys, according to the research. Kids often express their emotions or feelings, which couldn't be expressed in words, to the toys that they play with.
“Children often express emotions and thoughts while playing with dolls that they might not be able to convey using words,” says Allan Gonsher, a play therapist in Overland Park, Kansas.
Even though there is an inevitable penetration of technologies and smartphones, soft toys are sure to attract kids and toddlers. Read this blog to know why soft toys are good for your little ones?
1. Help to be independent
When kids or toddlers have just begun to walk, it is hard for them to stay in one place. They love to walk around their surroundings and explore. But within an hour, they get bored or fear the loneliness. However, this is not the case when they have their soft toys or dolls with them, which help them calm down and provide a sense of comfort. “Dolls and stuffed animals can help toddlers cope with separation anxiety,” says Paul Donahue, PhD, a child psychologist in Scarsdale, New York. By making your kids or toddlers play alone with their toys for 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a day, you can actually help to boost their confidence and self-reliance. Also, you can ask your toddler to teach his/her favourite puppy or elephant toys the daily routine like brushing, dressing up or eating.
2. Manage their Emotions
Children of 3 to 4 years old are often unable to express their emotions and become easily frustrated because of their incapability to understand the things around them. This is the main reason for the tantrums. But Dr.Donahue suggests that children of this age are capable and can learn how to manage the emotions just by role-playing with the toys. By doing so, it gives them the opportunity to communicate in their own way, in a playful manner.
3. Helps to learn and practice the languageToddlers at this age begin to make sound and try to talk or intimate what we say to them. They will pick up and may start using those words while they play with the soft stuffed toy. Eventually, this will make them chat with their stuffed animal or doll. By doing so, they will listen to their own voice that can help to improve the pronunciation real quick.