Soft toys and dolls are ever-popular educational toys that your children should definitely play with. This desert island toy is very useful for child development.
Too often, stuffed animals are unfairly viewed as play toys. Something you trip over on your child's bedroom floor. Another thing your child wants, but doesn't do anything other than look cute.
This is simply wrong, and here's why.
Here are the top five reasons why stuffed animals and dolls are toy box essentials.
1. Soft toys and dolls help children develop their soft side - love, tenderness and compassion.
One of the most interesting aspects is their ability to strengthen the child's nurturing skills and empathy. Nowadays, education emphasizes this point because raising children to become compassionate citizens is one of the most effective ways to uplift society.
Children test their emotions on their special companions. They can act out the emotional exchanges they had with a loved one or friend on the playground.
It is a great lesson to learn that we can comfort others through our behavior. Children practice on stuffed animals and dolls - consoling an "upset" doll or dressing their favorite stuffed animal for bed. Our son loves playing veterinarian and seeing him tenderly care for an “injured” animal is absurdly heartwarming.
Caring for a stuffed animal is often a child's first opportunity to practice empathy and compassion. We all know the world always needs more of this!
2. They are best when it comes to open-ended, imaginative play.
Today, Teddy is the guest at a tea party. Tomorrow he will be an enthusiastic spectator of your child's impromptu dance recital. The next day, an enthusiastic adventurer will accompany your child on a great exploration.
We all want our children to grow up with healthy and active imaginations. Creating stories and adventures with stuffed animals isn't just fun for kids - it's essential brain-building work that will benefit them in school and beyond.
Who will solve all the complex problems our children's generation will face? Resourceful people. People who think creatively. People with boundless imagination, capable of solving problems with new ideas. I want my son to be one of these people, which is why I take imaginative play seriously.
That's why I happily trip over his stuffed animals lying around on the bedroom floor. They are excellent learning tools and I am grateful for them.
3. Stuffed animals and dolls can comfort a child like no other toy.
Soft toys and dolls are always present companions, always supportive, always in their corner for a child. I can't think of a better gift to give a child than something that brings them comfort and consolation during the most changing time of their life.
It's easy to forget how difficult growing up can be. Children have a lot to overcome growing up. Their bodies grow and develop faster than is comfortable. They must learn to manage their friendships and family dynamics for the first time. They are still unprepared for the millions of new experiences they face every day (the dentist! a new food! a distant relative they have never met!) They experience a visceral fear that cannot be explained logically.
A cuddly friend who is always ready to cuddle is an invaluable childhood companion!
Additionally, children often confide in their stuffed animals or dolls secret thoughts that they are not ready to share with anyone else. A cuddly companion is a perfect listener to whatever is on the child's mind.
4. They top the charts for play value.
[img of young baby sleeping on back, with plush toy sitting by its side] [img of young preschool child hugging a big soft plush teddy bear]I'm in my forties and I still have my childhood doll. That's a lot of years of use!
There aren't many toys you can have when you're little that you can still play with when you're seven.
The way children play with dolls changes as they grow, but they are a wonderful toy for a wide range of ages.
- Babies explore textures and practice grasping and holding.
- Little ones will find comfort in their stuffed animal and will begin to care for it.
- Preschool and school- aged children will create the most elaborate creative play scenarios you can imagine.
- Older children will find pleasure in collecting only their favorite things and secretly taking comfort from them for many, many years (even if they will never admit it).
5. They promote language development.
All of this imaginative play promotes language development as children create stories and chat with their furry friends. New vocabulary is put to the test and questions often arise during these creative play sessions.
Sometimes my son says something like, "Boo's feeling overwhelmed. What does that mean, Mom?"
He has an idea what that means, but he's not sure, so he tries it with his stuffed rabbit and then asks me for more information.
To summarize, stuffed animals help children develop creativity , compassion , and even verbal skills .
A stuffed animal can provide comfort and stability to a child who is feeling uncertain or afraid. A stuffed animal can be a confidant, a travel companion, a pillow, and an ever-enthusiastic playmate.
Is it any wonder that children love stuffed animals and dolls so much?
Explore our selection of stuffed animals and soft toys and find the ideal companion for a special little one!
